RSrt_2
Consider the following Python function named mystery_rec_sort that sorts a list in ascending order Based on the structure and steps of the function, which basic sorting algorithm is being implemented?

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The prompt asks you to identify the sorting algorithm represented by the function mystery_rec_sort based on its structure and steps.
Option 1: bubble sort. Bubble sort typically works by repeatedly stepping through the list, comparing adjacent elements, and swapping them if they are in the wrong order, often with a nested loop that reduces the range after each pass. If the function’s structure shows adjacent comparisons and live swaps in a forward pass, this would point toward bubble sort, but without explicit adjacency checks or iterative passes on a shrinking range, this option is unlikely.
Option 2: merge sort. Merge sort is characteristically a divide-and-conquer algorithm: it splits the list into halves recursively, sorts each half, and then merges the two sorted halves into a single sorted list. If the function’s steps reveal a clear halving of the list followed by a merging phase that combines two sorted sequences into one, this aligns strongly with merge sort, especially in terms of recursive decomposition and the merge step.
Option 3: insertion sort. Insertion sort builds the sorted portion of the list one element at a time by taking the next element and inserting it into its correct position within the already-sorted prefix. If you see a loop that selects the next item and shifts elements to make room for it, that’s indicative of insertion sort, which doesn’t involve splitting the list into halves.
Option 4: selection sort. Selection sort repeatedly selects the smallest (or largest) element from the unsorted portion and swaps it into its final position at the front (or end) of the list. A hallmark is scanning the unsorted region to find the minimum and performing a single swap per pass, rather than merging two halves. If the function instead emphasizes finding a min in a pass and swapping, it would fit selection sort rather than merge sort.
In summary, the distinguishing feature to look for here is whether the function employs a divide-and-conquer approach with a merge step after recursively sorting sublists. If that halving and merging behavior is present, it corresponds to merge sort; the absence of such a divide-and-merge pattern would make the other sorts more plausible. The other options differ mainly in their core mechanics: adjacent swaps with passes (bubble), position-based insertion into a growing sorted block (insertion), or repeated min-finding and swapping from unsorted to sorted regions (selection).

RSrt_2 Consider the following Python function named mystery_rec_sort that sorts a list in ascending order Based on the structure and steps of the function, which basic sorting algorithm is being implemented?

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