In binary search, what does the variable low represent?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In binary search, the algorithm maintains a search interval within the array and narrows it down by comparing the target to the middle element. 
Option 1: 'The value at the middle index' describes the element itself, often stored as a variable like midValue, but low is not this value; midIndex or mid is used for locating the middle element.
Option 2: 'The lowest index of the search range' correctly identifies low as the lower bound of the current search interval, indicating where the search should start.
Option 3: 'The middle index' corresponds to a separate variable typically named mid; low is not the middle index, so this misstates what low represents.
Option 4: 'The highest index of the search range' would be the upper bound, often called high or upper, which is distinct from low and used together to define the interval.
Option 5: 'The number of elements in the list' is the array size, not the boundary index; low does not store the length.
Option 6: 'The target value' is the value being searched for, whereas low holds an index boundary, not the target itself.
Thus, the statement that aligns with the role of low in binary search is that it marks the lowest index of the current search range.

IS 4485-001 Fall 2025 Final Exam Practice 1

In binary search, what does the variable low represent?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Binary search can be implemented using which programming approaches?

What will binary search return if the target is not found in the list?

Which of these Python code snippets correctly computes the middle index in binary search?

What happens if binary search is used on an unsorted list?

How can integer overflow be avoided when calculating the middle index in binary search?

What is the key requirement for binary search to work correctly?

Rtab_10 The below algorithm, process_list, works with a sorted list and recursively processes the list by dividing it into smaller sections at each step, focusing on one part of the list based on comparisons.What is the best-case time complexity of this algorithm?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler