Which of the following approaches is commonly used to detect a loop or cycle in a linked list? *1 pointa) Using a hash table to store visited nodesb) Using the Floyd's cycle-finding algorithm (slow and fast pointers)c) Modifying the data part of each node to store a flagd) Traversing the list and checking for null at the end
Question
Which of the following approaches is commonly used to detect a loop or cycle in a linked list? *1 pointa) Using a hash table to store visited nodesb) Using the Floyd's cycle-finding algorithm (slow and fast pointers)c) Modifying the data part of each node to store a flagd) Traversing the list and checking for null at the end
Solution
All of the approaches mentioned can be used to detect a loop or cycle in a linked list. However, the most commonly used approach is Floyd's cycle-finding algorithm, also known as the slow and fast pointers method.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how it works:
- Initialize two pointers, slow and fast, at the head of the linked list.
- Move slow one step at a time and fast two steps at a time.
- If there is a cycle in the list, the fast pointer will eventually meet the slow pointer again.
- If the fast pointer reaches the end of the list (null), then there is no cycle.
This method is efficient and does not require any extra space, unlike the hash table approach. It also does not require modifying the data part of each node, which could potentially disrupt other operations on the list.
Similar Questions
How would you detect a cycle in a linked list using Floyd’s Cycle-Finding Algorithm?Use a hash table to store visited nodesUse two pointers that move at different speedsSort the linked listCompare each node with all other nodes
Is it possible to check whether the given linked list is either NULL-terminated or endsin a cycle (cyclic)? Describe any method if exists and justify your answer
Which type of linked list has its last node pointing back to the first node?a.Doubly linked listb.Circular linked listc.Singly linked listd.Linear linked listClear my choice
A linked list is said to contain a cycle if any node is visited more than once while traversing the list. Given a pointer to the head of a linked list, determine if it contains a cycle. If it does, return . Otherwise, return .Example refers to the list of nodes The numbers shown are the node numbers, not their data values. There is no cycle in this list so return . refers to the list of nodes There is a cycle where node 3 points back to node 1, so return .Function DescriptionComplete the has_cycle function in the editor below.It has the following parameter:SinglyLinkedListNode pointer head: a reference to the head of the listReturnsint: if there is a cycle or if there is notNote: If the list is empty, will be null.Input FormatThe code stub reads from stdin and passes the appropriate argument to your function. The custom test cases format will not be described for this question due to its complexity. Expand the section for the main function and review the code if you would like to figure out how to create a custom case.ConstraintsSample InputReferences to each of the following linked lists are passed as arguments to your function:Sample Output01ExplanationThe first list has no cycle, so return .The second list has a cycle, so return .
What is a circular linked list?A linked list where the last node points to None.A linked list where each node points to the previous and the next node.A linked list where there is a loop in the list.A linked list where each node points to the next node, and the last node points to the first node.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.