1.2.10

Binary Search

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Binary Search

Binary search is an example of a divide-and-conquer algorithm.

The concept

If you try to find a certain page in a book, it's unlikely that you check every page on the way.
You are more likely to split the book in two, then see if the page you need is before or after the split, and repeat.
This is the concept behind the binary search.

In English

Find the middle of the dataset.
If the middle value is greater than the target then:
- Repeat on the first half of dataset.
If the middle value is lesser than the target then:
- Repeat on the second half of dataset.
If the middle value is the target:
- We found it!
Stop repeating once the size of our dataset is zero.

In pseudocode

Pros and cons of binary search

Pros and cons of binary search

Pros:
- Faster than linear search on a large dataset.
Cons:
- Dataset must be sorted before starting.

1

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1

Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking 1.1.2Decomposition Thinking 1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking

1.2

Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms 1.2.2Pseudocode 1.2.3Flow Diagrams 1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging 1.2.5Reading Algorithms 1.2.6Correcting Algorithms 1.2.7Complete the Algorithm 1.2.8Search Algorithms 1.2.9Linear Search 1.2.10Binary Search 1.2.11Sort Algorithms 1.2.12Bubble Sort 1.2.13Insertion Sort 1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms

2

Programming

3

Hardware & Software

3.1

Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems 3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance 3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle 3.1.6Binary Systems 3.1.7Logic Circuits 3.1.8Boolean Logic 3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic

3.2

Software

3.2.1System Software

4

Data

4.1

Representing Data

4.1.1Binary 4.1.2Converting Binary & Hexadecimal 4.1.3Converting Denary & Hexadecimal 4.1.4Binary Arithmetic 4.1.5Representing Sound 4.1.6Representing Images 4.1.7Character Sets 4.1.8American Standard Code for Information Interchange 4.1.9Unicode 4.1.10End of Topic Test - Representation

5

The Internet

5.1

Networks

5.1.1Networks 5.1.2Geographical Classification of Networks 5.1.3What is the Internet?5.1.4The World Wide Web 5.1.5Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)5.1.6Web Hosting 5.1.7HTML 5.1.8Searching the World Wide Web 5.1.9Good Searching Tips 5.1.10Are You Looking at Reliable Information?

6

Online Safety & Security

6.1

Protecting Yourself Online

6.1.1Digital Footprints 6.1.2Leaving a Safe Online Footprint 6.1.3Online Safety 6.1.4Malware - Viruses 6.1.5Malware 6.1.6People Online 6.1.7Your Feelings 6.1.8Getting Help

6.2

Computing and the Law

6.2.1Data Protection Act (1998)6.2.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)6.2.3Freedom of Information Act (2000)6.2.4Plagiarism 6.2.5Copyright 6.2.6Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)6.2.7Creative Commons Licensing

Jump to other topics

1

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1

Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking 1.1.2Decomposition Thinking 1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking

1.2

Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms 1.2.2Pseudocode 1.2.3Flow Diagrams 1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging 1.2.5Reading Algorithms 1.2.6Correcting Algorithms 1.2.7Complete the Algorithm 1.2.8Search Algorithms 1.2.9Linear Search 1.2.10Binary Search 1.2.11Sort Algorithms 1.2.12Bubble Sort 1.2.13Insertion Sort 1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms

2

Programming

3

Hardware & Software

3.1

Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems 3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance 3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle 3.1.6Binary Systems 3.1.7Logic Circuits 3.1.8Boolean Logic 3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic

3.2

Software

3.2.1System Software

4

Data

4.1

Representing Data

4.1.1Binary 4.1.2Converting Binary & Hexadecimal 4.1.3Converting Denary & Hexadecimal 4.1.4Binary Arithmetic 4.1.5Representing Sound 4.1.6Representing Images 4.1.7Character Sets 4.1.8American Standard Code for Information Interchange 4.1.9Unicode 4.1.10End of Topic Test - Representation

5

The Internet

5.1

Networks

5.1.1Networks 5.1.2Geographical Classification of Networks 5.1.3What is the Internet?5.1.4The World Wide Web 5.1.5Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)5.1.6Web Hosting 5.1.7HTML 5.1.8Searching the World Wide Web 5.1.9Good Searching Tips 5.1.10Are You Looking at Reliable Information?

6

Online Safety & Security

6.1

Protecting Yourself Online

6.1.1Digital Footprints 6.1.2Leaving a Safe Online Footprint 6.1.3Online Safety 6.1.4Malware - Viruses 6.1.5Malware 6.1.6People Online 6.1.7Your Feelings 6.1.8Getting Help

6.2

Computing and the Law

6.2.1Data Protection Act (1998)6.2.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)6.2.3Freedom of Information Act (2000)6.2.4Plagiarism 6.2.5Copyright 6.2.6Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)6.2.7Creative Commons Licensing

Practice questions on Binary Search

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1
Binary search is an example of what type of algorithm?Multiple choice
2
What is the main advantage of binary search?Multiple choice

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Linear Search

Sort Algorithms