Write Algorithm to Find the Index of Largest Element in Sequence

In summary, the conversation is about someone struggling to write an algorithm that returns the index of the first occurrence of the largest element in a given sequence. They are asking for help and mentioning that finding the largest element in a list is a relatively easy task.
  • #1
Bucs44
57
0
I am having the hardest time getting this algorithm written:

Write an algorithm that returns the index of the first occurrence of the largest element in the sequence s1,..., sn. If the sequence is 6.2, 8.9, 4.2, 8.9, the algorithm returns the value 2.

Input: s, n

Output: ??

I'm stumped on this at the moment - Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
The output is m, where m is the index of the first occurence of the largest element.

But that isn't your problem, really, is it? Surely it is writing the algorithm (which is quite easy: how do you find the largest element in a list in a really naive way?) that is the issue, right?
 

What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a set of steps or instructions that are followed in a specific order to solve a problem or complete a task.

Why is it important to find the index of the largest element in a sequence?

Finding the index of the largest element in a sequence can help identify the location of the maximum value, which can be useful in various applications such as data analysis and sorting.

What is the time complexity of the algorithm to find the index of the largest element in a sequence?

The time complexity of the algorithm to find the index of the largest element in a sequence is O(n), meaning that the time it takes to run the algorithm increases linearly with the size of the input sequence.

Can the algorithm be used for both numerical and non-numerical sequences?

Yes, the algorithm can be used for both numerical and non-numerical sequences as long as there is a way to compare the elements in the sequence to determine which one is the largest.

What is the difference between finding the index of the largest element and finding the largest element itself?

Finding the index of the largest element returns the position of the maximum value in the sequence, while finding the largest element itself returns the actual value of the maximum element.

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