A marine biology database stores the ocean depth readings (to the nearest meter) of 25,000 sonar pings in an unsorted array. Currently, a research assistant uses a linear search to locate a specific depth reading.
The assistant wants to drastically optimize the retrieval time. State one type of preprocessing that can be applied to the array of depth readings, and explain how the search process could be modified to locate the target depth reading more efficiently using the preprocessed data.
159 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Algorithms, covering Constructs for solving problems, Variables, constants and data structures, Arithmetic, relational and logical operators, Tracing algorithm output with trace tables, Types of error and correcting logic errors, Standard algorithms (sorts and searches), and Evaluating algorithm fitness and efficiency. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.