Which of the following is a divide-and-conquer algorithm?

2023

Which of the following is a divide-and-conquer algorithm?

  1. A.

    Merge sort

  2. B.

    Heap sort

  3. C.

    Bubble sort

  4. D.

    More than one of the above

  5. E.

    None of the above

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Correct answer: A

Divide-and-conquer is an algorithmic paradigm where a problem is broken into smaller subproblems, solved recursively, and then combined to form the final solution. Step 1: Merge sort divides the array into two halves, sorts each half recursively, and merges the sorted halves. This matches the divide-and-conquer approach. Step 2: Heap sort builds a heap and repeatedly removes the root element. It does not divide the input into subproblems, so it is not divide-and-conquer. Step 3: Bubble sort compares adjacent elements and swaps them. It operates iteratively without recursion or division, so it is not divide-and-conquer. Step 4: Since only merge sort fits the divide-and-conquer model, options claiming more than one or none are incorrect.

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