Question

Array class has a built-in binary search method. It takes two arguments, an array name and an item to search for, and it returns the position of the item in the array, or -1 if the item can't be found. What is the purpose of the binary search method in the Array class?

1) To sort the array in ascending order
2) To find the maximum value in the array
3) To find the minimum value in the array
4) To search for a specific item in the array

Answer 1

The binary search method in the Array class is designed to efficiently search for a specific item in a sorted array by dividing the search interval in half, returning the item's position or -1 if not found.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of the binary search method in the Array class is to search for a specific item in the array. This method is an efficient algorithm that repeatedly divides the search interval in half. If the value of the search key is less than the item in the middle of the interval, the algorithm narrows the interval to the lower half. Otherwise, it narrows it to the upper half. The process continues until the value is found or the interval is empty. The binary search method can only be performed on a sorted array, and it returns the position of the item if it is found, or -1 if the item is not found.