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Insertion sort analysis and summation notation

I am trying to understand the worst case analysis of Insertion sort and I have a problem with the math involved on slide 21 (ppt).

I understand the first formula:

Σ(j=1 to n) j=n(n+1)/2

But these I'm struggling with:

  1. Why is there a - 1 at the end?
    Σ(j=2 to n) j=n(n+1)/2-1
  2. Also, I don't understand this one:
    Σ(j=2 to n)(j-1) = n(n-1)/2
like image 618
Nikhil Avatar asked Sep 21 '12 11:09

Nikhil


2 Answers

It's Gauss' trick to sum numbers from 1 to n:

trick of gauss

First formula

However, the sum you want to compute starts at 2, not 1, that is why you have to subtract the first term (i.e. 1) from the formula:

enter image description here

Second formula

Essentially, you compute the sum from 1 until (n-1). If you substitute n in Gauss' trick with n-1, you receive the second formula they use.

You can also see this with an index transformation:

enter image description here

As you can see, I have adjusted the boundaries of the sum: Both the upper and lower bounds of the sum have been decreased by 1. Effectively, this deceases all terms in the sum by 1, to correct this, you have to add 1 to the term under the Σ: (j-1) + 1 = j.

like image 73
phant0m Avatar answered Sep 19 '22 22:09

phant0m


Σ(j=2 to n) j=n(n+1)/2-1 starts at 2 instead of 1. So it's the same terms added together except the 1. So the sum is 1 less.

Σ(j=2 to n)(j-1) is the same terms added together as Σ(j=1 to n-1)(j). So to find its sum replace n with n-1 in the formula n(n+1)/2.

like image 21
Steve Jessop Avatar answered Sep 20 '22 22:09

Steve Jessop