- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
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- Basics of Algorithms
- DAA - Introduction
- DAA - Analysis of Algorithms
- DAA - Methodology of Analysis
- Asymptotic Notations & Apriori Analysis
- Time Complexity
- Master’s Theorem
- DAA - Space Complexities
- Divide & Conquer
- DAA - Divide & Conquer
- DAA - Max-Min Problem
- DAA - Merge Sort
- DAA - Binary Search
- Strassen’s Matrix Multiplication
- Karatsuba Algorithm
- Towers of Hanoi
- Greedy Algorithms
- DAA - Greedy Method
- Travelling Salesman Problem
- Prim's Minimal Spanning Tree
- Kruskal’s Minimal Spanning Tree
- Dijkstra’s Shortest Path Algorithm
- Map Colouring Algorithm
- DAA - Fractional Knapsack
- DAA - Job Sequencing with Deadline
- DAA - Optimal Merge Pattern
- Dynamic Programming
- DAA - Dynamic Programming
- Matrix Chain Multiplication
- Floyd Warshall Algorithm
- DAA - 0-1 Knapsack
- Longest Common Subsequence
- Travelling Salesman Problem | Dynamic Programming
- Randomized Algorithms
- Randomized Algorithms
- Randomized Quick Sort
- Karger’s Minimum Cut
- Fisher-Yates Shuffle
- Approximation Algorithms
- Approximation Algorithms
- Vertex Cover Problem
- Set Cover Problem
- Travelling Salesperson Approximation Algorithm
- Graph Theory
- DAA - Spanning Tree
- DAA - Shortest Paths
- DAA - Multistage Graph
- Optimal Cost Binary Search Trees
- Heap Algorithms
- DAA - Binary Heap
- DAA - Insert Method
- DAA - Heapify Method
- DAA - Extract Method
- Sorting Techniques
- DAA - Bubble Sort
- DAA - Insertion Sort
- DAA - Selection Sort
- DAA - Shell Sort
- DAA - Heap Sort
- DAA - Bucket Sort
- DAA - Counting Sort
- DAA - Radix Sort
- Searching Techniques
- Searching Techniques Introduction
- DAA - Linear Search
- DAA - Binary Search
- DAA - Interpolation Search
- DAA - Jump Search
- DAA - Exponential Search
- DAA - Fibonacci Search
- DAA - Sublist Search
- Complexity Theory
- Deterministic vs. Nondeterministic Computations
- DAA - Max Cliques
- DAA - Vertex Cover
- DAA - P and NP Class
- DAA - Cook’s Theorem
- NP Hard & NP-Complete Classes
- DAA - Hill Climbing Algorithm
- DAA Useful Resources
- DAA - Quick Guide
- DAA - Useful Resources
- DAA - Discussion
Design and Analysis - Divide and Conquer
Using divide and conquer approach, the problem in hand, is divided into smaller sub-problems and then each problem is solved independently. When we keep dividing the sub-problems into even smaller sub-problems, we may eventually reach a stage where no more division is possible. Those smallest possible sub-problems are solved using original solution because it takes lesser time to compute. The solution of all sub-problems is finally merged in order to obtain the solution of the original problem.
Broadly, we can understand divide-and-conquer approach in a three-step process.
Divide/Break
This step involves breaking the problem into smaller sub-problems. Sub-problems should represent a part of the original problem. This step generally takes a recursive approach to divide the problem until no sub-problem is further divisible. At this stage, sub-problems become atomic in size but still represent some part of the actual problem.
Conquer/Solve
This step receives a lot of smaller sub-problems to be solved. Generally, at this level, the problems are considered 'solved' on their own.
Merge/Combine
When the smaller sub-problems are solved, this stage recursively combines them until they formulate a solution of the original problem. This algorithmic approach works recursively and conquer & merge steps works so close that they appear as one.
Pros and cons of Divide and Conquer Approach
Divide and conquer approach supports parallelism as sub-problems are independent. Hence, an algorithm, which is designed using this technique, can run on the multiprocessor system or in different machines simultaneously.
In this approach, most of the algorithms are designed using recursion, hence memory management is very high. For recursive function stack is used, where function state needs to be stored.
Examples of Divide and Conquer Approach
The following computer algorithms are based on divide-and-conquer programming approach −
Merge Sort
Quick Sort
Binary Search
Strassen's Matrix Multiplication
Closest pair (points)
Karatsuba
There are various ways available to solve any computer problem, but the mentioned are a good example of divide and conquer approach.
