Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the application of Binary Search to find the number 13 in an unsorted list of numbers. Participants explore the conditions under which Binary Search can be applied and the number of comparisons involved in searching for a value.
Discussion Character
- Homework-related
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions the number of comparisons needed to find 13 in the list, suggesting 10 comparisons, and seeks clarification.
- Another participant points out that Binary Search cannot be performed on an unsorted list and suggests that a linear search would require 5 comparisons.
- A participant expresses confusion about the Binary Search process, indicating a misunderstanding of how the algorithm operates and suggesting that they thought it required going through each number twice.
- Further clarification is provided on how Binary Search would work if the list were sorted, illustrating that it would require fewer comparisons than a linear search.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the application of Binary Search to the given list, with some asserting it cannot be used due to the list being unsorted, while others express confusion about the algorithm's mechanics.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the importance of sorting in Binary Search and the potential for misunderstanding the algorithm's requirements and operation.