Insight · ★★★☆☆ · ~6 min
Min & Max Simultaneously
Find both min and max of n numbers — how few comparisons?
by MindYourPuzzle
Finding the minimum of n numbers takes n-1 comparisons. Finding the maximum takes n-1 comparisons. Finding both naively: 2n-2.
Can you find both in fewer than 2n-2 comparisons?
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