Final answer:
Determining the minimum number of comparisons requires knowledge of the merging technique, which is not given. An optimal merge pattern similar to Huffman's algorithm is suggested for efficiency,
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is to determine the minimum number of comparisons required to merge sorted files, one might consider using optimal merge patterns, which inherently involve creating a binary tree with the least weighted path length possible.
The algorithm typically used for this is akin to the Huffman encoding algorithm. You construct the tree by repeatedly combining the two smallest records until there's a single merged file.
However, the exact number of comparisons will depend on the specific method used to merge these files, and usually, this type of problem is solved using greedy algorithms to ensure the smallest number of comparisons. Since the precise method for merging is not provided, we cannot provide the minimum number of comparisons without making assumptions.
Without the specific merging technique, it is difficult to provide an accurate answer. Usually, the most efficient way is to use a priority queue to implement the merging process, repeatedly merging the two smallest files to minimize the number of comparisons.
This approach, based on the Huffman's algorithm, ensures that the number of comparisons is kept to a minimum.