Dynamic Programming Quiz and Flashcards: Study and Practice

Questions and Answers

What does a dynamic programming algorithm do?

Stores results for small sub problems and looks them up when needed

When does a problem exhibit optimal substructure?

If an optimal solution to the problem contains within it optimal solutions to subproblems

In which case is dynamic programming not suitable?

Unweighted longest simple path problem

What is the first step in developing a dynamic programming algorithm?

Characterize the structure of an optimal solution Signup and view all the answers

Why should one be careful regarding optimal substructure?

Not all problems exhibit optimal substructure Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of optimal substructure in the context of dynamic programming.

Optimal substructure in dynamic programming means that an optimal solution to a larger problem can be constructed from optimal solutions of its subproblems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential pitfall when assuming optimal substructure in dynamic programming?

One should be careful not to assume that optimal substructure applies when it does not, as it may lead to incorrect solutions or inefficient algorithms. Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps in developing a dynamic programming algorithm?

The steps include characterizing the structure of an optimal solution, recursively defining the value of an optimal solution, computing the value of an optimal solution, and constructing an optimal solution from the computed information. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a problem that exhibits optimal substructure.

The matrix-multiplication problem is an example of a problem that exhibits optimal substructure, as an optimal solution to the problem contains within it optimal solutions to subproblems. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of problem is dynamic programming not suitable?

Dynamic programming is not suitable for problems such as finding the longest simple path in an unweighted graph, where the problem does not exhibit optimal substructure. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dynamic Programming

Dynamic programming algorithms solve complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems, solving each subproblem only once, and storing their solutions to subproblems to avoid redundant computation.
A problem exhibits optimal substructure when its optimal solution can be constructed from the optimal solutions of its subproblems.

Suitability of Dynamic Programming

Dynamic programming is not suitable for problems with non-overlapping subproblems or when the problem size is too small.

Developing a Dynamic Programming Algorithm

The first step in developing a dynamic programming algorithm is to define the space of subproblems and identify the relationships between them.
One should be careful when assuming optimal substructure, as incorrect assumptions can lead to incorrect solutions.
The steps in developing a dynamic programming algorithm include:
Defining the space of subproblems and identifying relationships between them
Identifying the base case(s) and recursive case(s)
Developing a recurrence relation to define the value of each subproblem
Solving the subproblems in a bottom-up or top-down manner

Optimal Substructure

Optimal substructure means that an optimal solution to a problem can be constructed from the optimal solutions of its subproblems.
Assuming optimal substructure without verifying it can lead to incorrect solutions, which is a potential pitfall in dynamic programming.

Examples and Applications

The Fibonacci sequence is an example of a problem that exhibits optimal substructure.
Dynamic programming is not suitable for problems with non-overlapping subproblems or when the problem size is too small.