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Quick Select

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"""
A Python implementation of the quick select algorithm, which is efficient for
calculating the value that would appear in the index of a list if it would be
sorted, even if it is not already sorted
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quickselect
"""
import random


def _partition(data: list, pivot) -> tuple:
    """
    Three way partition the data into smaller, equal and greater lists,
    in relationship to the pivot
    :param data: The data to be sorted (a list)
    :param pivot: The value to partition the data on
    :return: Three list: smaller, equal and greater
    """
    less, equal, greater = [], [], []
    for element in data:
        if element < pivot:
            less.append(element)
        elif element > pivot:
            greater.append(element)
        else:
            equal.append(element)
    return less, equal, greater


def quick_select(items: list, index: int):
    """
    >>> quick_select([2, 4, 5, 7, 899, 54, 32], 5)
    54
    >>> quick_select([2, 4, 5, 7, 899, 54, 32], 1)
    4
    >>> quick_select([5, 4, 3, 2], 2)
    4
    >>> quick_select([3, 5, 7, 10, 2, 12], 3)
    7
    """
    # index = len(items) // 2 when trying to find the median
    #   (value of index when items is sorted)

    # invalid input
    if index >= len(items) or index < 0:
        return None

    pivot = items[random.randint(0, len(items) - 1)]
    count = 0
    smaller, equal, larger = _partition(items, pivot)
    count = len(equal)
    m = len(smaller)

    # index is the pivot
    if m <= index < m + count:
        return pivot
    # must be in smaller
    elif m > index:
        return quick_select(smaller, index)
    # must be in larger
    else:
        return quick_select(larger, index - (m + count))
About this Algorithm

Problem Statement

Given an array, find the kth largest / smallest element in linear time complexity.

Approach

  • Select a pivot element at random
  • Apply partitioning as used in quick sort
  • After partitioning, the pivot will be placed in its sorted location ie. All elements smaller than the pivot will be on its left and greater on its right
  • If index of sorted pivot is k, then the pivot is our kth element and we return the number
  • Else, check if 'k' is greater or smaller and choose a new pivot in that range.
  • Repeat till we get the kth element at kth position

Time Complexity

  • O(n^2) Worst-Case Performance

  • O(n) Best-case Performance

  • O(n) Average Performance

Founder's Name

  • This algorithm was developed by Tony Hoare and is also called Hoare's Selection Algorithm.

Example

arr[] = {8,2,11,7,9,1,3}
Indexes: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Let's say k = 4. ie. We have to find 4th smallest element.

1. Choosing random pivot as 7
2. Swap 7 with the last element and apply the partitioning algorithm
3. After applying partition, all elements smaller than 7 will be placed to the left and greater in its right.
   Thus we can say that 7 is in its sorted position arr[] = {2,3,1,7,8,9,11}
4. As position of '7' is 4th (ie. k). Thus we will simply return 7

Code Implementation Links

Helpful Video Links

Video explaining how to find the Kth smallest/largest element in varying complexities