Explain interpolation search algorithm
Interpolation search is a searching algorithm used to search for a specific value in a sorted array. It works by approximating the position of the desired value in the array based on its value and the values at the beginning and end of the array.
Here is how the interpolation search algorithm works:
1. Assume that the array is sorted in ascending order.
2. Calculate the position of the desired value in the array by using the following formula:
position = start + ((end - start) / (arr[end] - arr[start])) * (value - arr[start])
- 'start' is the starting index of the array
- 'end' is the ending index of the array
- 'arr' is the array being searched
- 'value' is the value being searched for
3. Compare the value at the calculated position with the desired value.
- If they are equal, the value is found at the calculated position.
- If the value at the calculated position is less than the desired value, update 'start' to the calculated position + 1 and repeat the process from step 2.
- If the value at the calculated position is greater than the desired value, update 'end' to the calculated position - 1 and repeat the process from step 2.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the value is found or the subarray becomes empty.
The interpolation search algorithm is a variation of the binary search algorithm, but instead of always dividing the array in half to search, it calculates the position based on the value being searched. This allows it to make a more informed guess about where the value is likely to be, potentially reducing the number of iterations required to find the value. However, this algorithm works best when the values are uniformly distributed in the array. If there are large gaps between values or if the values are not evenly distributed, the interpolation search may not perform as efficiently as binary search.