--%>

State Measuring complexity

Measuring complexity: Many algorithms have an integer n, or two integers m and n, as input - e.g., addition, multiplication, exponentiation, factorisation and primality testing. When we want to describe or analyse the `easiness' or `hardness' of the algorithm, we want to measure its `running time' as a function of the `size' of the input value(s).

If the input value is n, then it is usual to use the number of (decimal) digits, or bits (binary digits), required to store n as a measure of the size of n.

Given input n, the number of decimal digits in n is given by

[log10 n] +1;

where [x], pronounced `floor of x', denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x. The number of binary digits or bits is similarly given by

[lg n] +1;

where we use the abbreviation lg x for log2 x (this notation is common, but not completely standard).

   Related Questions in Mathematics

  • Q : Calculus I need it within 4 hours. Due

    I need it within 4 hours. Due time March 15, 2014. 3PM Pacific Time. (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Q : Examples of groups Examples of groups:

    Examples of groups: We now start to survey a wide range of examples of groups (labelled by (A), (B), (C), . . . ). Most of these come from number theory. In all cases, the group axioms should be checked. This is easy for almost all of the examples, an

  • Q : How to get calculus homework done from

    How to get calculus homework done from tutor

  • Q : Problem on budgeted cash collections

    XYZ Company collects 20% of a month's sales in the month of sale, 70% in the month following sale, and 5% in the second month following sale. The remainder is not collectible. Budgeted sales for the subsequent four months are:     

  • Q : Graph Theory is the n-Dimensional Qn

    is the n-Dimensional Qn Hamiltonian? Prove tour answer

  • Q : Uniform scaling what is uniform scaling

    what is uniform scaling in computer graphic

  • Q : What is the probability that the film

    T.C.Fox, marketing director for Metro-Goldmine Motion Pictures, believes that the studio's upcoming release has a 60 percent chance of being a hit, a 25 percent chance of being a moderate success, and a 15 percent chance of being a flop. To test the accuracy of his op

  • Q : Explain the work and model proposed by

    Explain the work and model proposed by Richardson.

  • Q : Elementary Logic Set & Model of a

    Prove that Elementary Logic Set is a Model of a Boolean Algebra The three Boolean operations of Logic are the three logical operations of  OR ( V ), AN

  • Q : Probability assignments 1. Smith keeps

    1. Smith keeps track of poor work. Often on afternoon it is 5%. If he checks 300 of 7500 instruments what is probability he will find less than 20substandard? 2. Realtors estimate that 23% of homes purchased in 2004 were considered investment properties. If a sample of 800 homes sold in 2