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An Efficient Algorithm for the Approximate Median Selection Problem

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Algorithms and Complexity (CIAC 2000)

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Abstract

We present an efficient algorithm for the approximate median selection problem. The algorithm works in-place; it is fast and easy to implement. For a large array it returns, with high probability, a very close estimate of the true median. The running time is linear in the length n of the input. The algorithm performs fewer than \( \frac{4} {3}n \) comparisons and \( \frac{1} {3}n \) exchanges on the average. We present analytical results of the performance of the algorithm, as well as experimental illustrations of its precision.

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Battiato, S., Cantone, D., Catalano, D., Cincotti, G., Hofri, M. (2000). An Efficient Algorithm for the Approximate Median Selection Problem. In: Bongiovanni, G., Petreschi, R., Gambosi, G. (eds) Algorithms and Complexity. CIAC 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1767. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-46521-9_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-46521-9_19

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-67159-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-46521-8

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