Consider the quick sort algorithm as implemented in the text using the sort pattern. Which of the following data characteristics give the fastest run time? Explain.
a. An array sorted into increasing values.
b. An array sorted into decreasing values.
c. An array of random values
d. An array that increases for half the array, then decreases
Part c) an array of random values will have the least chance of having the split create consistently equal subarrays, hence give a runtime of O(N log N).
Explanation: All the other choices guarantee split gives subarrays of size 1 and N-1, hence give quadratic performance. Part d) requires a little thought, but it too gives quadratic runtime.
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