GATE | GATE-CS-2001 | Question 15

Consider any array representation of an n element binary heap where the elements are stored from index 1 to index n of the array. For the element stored at index i of the array (i <= n), the index of the parent is
(A) i – 1
(B) floor(i/2)
(C) ceiling(i/2)
(D) (i+1)/2


Answer: (B)

Explanation: Binary heaps can be represented using arrays: storing elements in an array and using their relative positions within the array to represent child-parent relationships.

For the binary heap element stored at index i of the array,

Parent Node will be at index: floor(i/2)
Left Child will be at index: 2i
Right child will be at index: 2*i + 1

This explanation is contributed by Saksham Seth.

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