Generic Form
The master theorem concerns recurrence relations of the form:
In the application to the analysis of a recursive algorithm, the constants and function take on the following significance:
- n is the size of the problem.
- a is the number of subproblems in the recursion.
- n/b is the size of each subproblem. (Here it is assumed that all subproblems are essentially the same size.)
- f (n) is the cost of the work done outside the recursive calls, which includes the cost of dividing the problem and the cost of merging the solutions to the subproblems.
It is possible to determine an asymptotic tight bound in these three cases:
Read more about this topic: Master Theorem
Famous quotes containing the words generic and/or form:
““Mother” has always been a generic term synonymous with love, devotion, and sacrifice. There’s always been something mystical and reverent about them. They’re the Walter Cronkites of the human race . . . infallible, virtuous, without flaws and conceived without original sin, with no room for ambivalence.”
—Erma Bombeck (20th century)
“The philosopher is in advance of his age even in the outward form of his life. He is not fed, sheltered, clothed, warmed, like his contemporaries. How can a man be a philosopher and not maintain his vital heat by better methods than other men?”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)