Merge Analogy: Step-by-Step
Initial Value in Merge Algorithm
In the Merge Algorithm, the initial value typically refers to the starting indices used to divide and merge arrays—most commonly the left index, right index, and midpoint. These values guide the recursive breakdown and merging of subarrays.
Key Initial Values in Merge Sort
- Left Index (
left): Starting index of the array or subarray, initially set to0. - Right Index (
right): Ending index of the array or subarray, initially set ton - 1. - Midpoint (
mid): Calculated asmid = left + (right - left) / 2.
Example Initialization
For an array like [38, 27, 43, 10], the initial call would be:
mergeSort(arr, 0, 3);This leads to:
mid = 0 + (3 - 0) / 2 = 1- Array is split into
[38, 27]and[43, 10] - Each half is recursively sorted and merged
Why These Initial Values Matter
- They define the boundaries for recursive division.
- They ensure merging happens in the correct order.
- They help maintain the algorithm’s time complexity of O(n log n).
References
Click "Next Step" to begin merging.