Selecting K Smallest or Largest Elements
Another fundamental selection problem is that of selecting the k smallest or k largest elements, which is particularly useful where we want to present just the "top k" of an unsorted list, such as the top 100 corporations by gross sales. This is also commonly called partial sorting.
Read more about this topic: Selection Algorithm
Famous quotes containing the words selecting, smallest, largest and/or elements:
“A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like to him; wherever he goes.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Only the family, society’s smallest unit, can change and yet maintain enough continuity to rear children who will not be “strangers in a strange land,” who will be rooted firmly enough to grow and adapt.”
—Salvador Minuchin (20th century)
“The debt was the most sacred obligation incurred during the war. It was by no means the largest in amount. We do not haggle with those who lent us money. We should not with those who gave health and blood and life. If doors are opened to fraud, contrive to close them. But don’t deny the obligation, or scold at its performance.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“In spite of all their kind some elements of worth
With difficulty persist here and there on earth.”
—Hugh MacDiarmid (1892–1978)