What is the worst case time complexity of a binary search tree?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the worst-case time complexity of a binary search tree, which refers to the maximum time it would take to perform operations such as search, insert, or delete in the most unfavorable scenario for a given set of data. This typically occurs when the tree becomes unbalanced.
Answer
O(n)
The final answer is O(n).
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is O(n).
More Information
The worst-case scenario occurs when the BST becomes skewed (i.e., all nodes have only one child), degrading the tree to a linked list structure.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming the BST is balanced, which would give a time complexity of O(log n). Always consider the possibility of an unbalanced BST.
Sources
- Complexity of Different Operations on Binary Tree, Binary Search Tree, AVL Tree - GeeksforGeeks - geeksforgeeks.org
- Binary search tree - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- The worst-case complexity for searching an element in binary search tree - Testbook - testbook.com
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