COM 1201 Algorithms and Data Structures 2

Homework 1 -- Due Monday, April 10th

Spring 2000 -- Professor Futrelle
College of Computer Science, Northeastern U., Boston, MA


This homework assignment is entirely a written one, no machine problems. It is based on Chapters 1 and 2 of the text. The problems vary a lot in difficulty. Try them all and do your best.

General homework requirements (non-machine problems)

Chapter 1 problems

For these two problems, you are required to generate 5 "random" pairs of digits. Do so in the following way: Use a white pages phone book to find the numbers. Pick five pages at random and one phone number from each page. Use the 3rd and 4th digits from the right as your pair of digits. Thus 373-4296 would generate a 4, 2 pair. If the two digits are the same, use another phone number, and do this until you have distinct pairs (4, 2 is the same as 2, 4). You must write down what phone book and what pages you used to generate your numbers.

If you work in a group with other people, have one person pick the sequence of pairs and then have everyone solve the problems separately. Then compare your results. But when you hand in your work, every student must hand in problems based on distinct sets of numbers.

Problem 1

Create a figure like Figure 1.3 that shows the operation of the Quick-find algorithm. For the same data, draw a figure like Figure 1.4. In addition to drawing the figure, add a few sentences of comment that discuss what the results are, e.g., how many distinct sets there are at each stage.

Problem 2

For this problem use the data from problem 1 and follow the steps for problem 1 except that you use the Quick-union algorithm, Figures 1.6 and 1.7.

Chapter 2 problems

The first two problems involve computing certain values of N. Rather than trying to do this precisely, which is non-trivial, estimate the values by making a table of values of the expressions involved for N = 2k (1, 2, 4, 8, ....) From the table you can estimate the values in the ranges asked for. (If you want to refine your answer a bit more you could use the set N = 2k/2, for k > 1, noting that lg(21/2) = 1/2 and 21/2 approx. = 1.4)

Problem 3 -- Do exercise 2.5, page 43.

Problem 4 -- Do exercise 2.6, page 43.

Problem 5 -- Do exercise 2.40, page 52.

Problem 6 -- Do exercise 2.47, page 58.

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