Introduction to Algorithms Day 29
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.046J/18.410J
Singapore-MIT Alliance SMA5503
Professors Erik Demaine, Lee Wee Sun, and Charles E. Leiserson Handout 28
Problem Set 8 Solutions
MIT students: This problem set is due in lecture on Day 29.
Reading: Chapter 15, 16, 23
Both exercises and problems should be solved, but only the problems should be turned in.
Exercises are intended to help you master the course material. Even though you should not turn in
the exercise solutions, you are responsible for material covered by the exercises.
Mark the top of each sheet with your name, the course number, the problem number, your
recitation instructor and time, the date, and the names of any students with whom you collaborated.
MIT students: Each problem should be done on a separate sheet (or sheets) of three-hole punched
paper.
You will often be called upon to “give an algorithm” to solve a certain problem. Your write-up
should take the form of a short essay. A topic paragraph should summarize the problem you are
solving and what your results are. The body of your essay should provide the following:
1. A description of the algorithm in English and, if helpful, pseudocode.
2. At least one worked example or diagram to show more precisely how your algorithm works.
3. A proof (or indication) of the correctness of the algorithm.
4. An analysis of the running time of the algorithm.
Remember, your goal is to communicate. Graders will be instructed to take off points for convo-
luted and obtuse descriptions.