A hash table with ten buckets with one slot per bucket is shown in the following figure. The symbols S1 to S7 initially entered using a hashing function with linear probing.The maximum number of comparisons needed in searching an item that is not present is

(A) 4
(B) 5
(C) 6
(D) 3


Answer: (B)

Explanation:

We have to consider different cases to find the maximum number
 of comparisons needed in searching an item that is not present.
If searching starts at 0 index : 3 comparisons will be made at
 index 0, index 1 and finally at index 2 and terminate searching 
when index 2 found empty.
Similarly after checking on different indexes, the maximum number
of comparisons will be required if searching starts from index 8,
as in this case, total 5 comparisons will be made at index 8, 9, 0, 1 and 2.
So, correct option is (B).

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