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In simple words: Binary Search is like playing a guessing game where you keep halving
the possibilities until you find the answer.
What is Binary Search?
• Definition: Binary Search is a searching algorithm used to find the position of a
target element in a sorted array.
• It works by comparing the target element with the middle element of the array.
• If the target matches the middle element, the search is successful. Otherwise, the
search continues in either the left half or the right half of the array.
Key condition: The array must be sorted (ascending or descending). Without sorting,
Binary Search cannot work correctly.
How Does Binary Search Work?
Let’s break it down step by step:
1. Start with the middle element:
o Find the middle index of the array.
o Compare the target element with the middle element.
2. Check for equality:
o If the middle element equals the target, return its position.
3. If the target is smaller:
o Search only in the left half of the array.
4. If the target is larger:
o Search only in the right half of the array.
5. Repeat the process:
o Continue halving the array until the element is found or the search space
becomes empty.
Example of Binary Search
Suppose we have a sorted array: [5, 12, 23, 34, 45, 56, 67, 78, 89]
We want to search for 45.
Step 1: Middle element = 34 (index 3).
• Target 45 > 34. So, search in the right half.
Step 2: New sub-array = [45, 56, 67, 78, 89].
• Middle element = 67.
• Target 45 < 67. So, search in the left half.
Step 3: New sub-array = [45, 56].