Princeton University

Algorithms, Part I

Kevin Wayne
Robert Sedgewick

Instructors: Kevin Wayne

1,347,349 already enrolled

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(11,512 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 54 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(11,512 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 54 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

Details to know

Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

There are 13 modules in this course

Welcome to Algorithms, Part I.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 programming assignment

We illustrate our basic approach to developing and analyzing algorithms by considering the dynamic connectivity problem. We introduce the union−find data type and consider several implementations (quick find, quick union, weighted quick union, and weighted quick union with path compression). Finally, we apply the union−find data type to the percolation problem from physical chemistry.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment

The basis of our approach for analyzing the performance of algorithms is the scientific method. We begin by performing computational experiments to measure the running times of our programs. We use these measurements to develop hypotheses about performance. Next, we create mathematical models to explain their behavior. Finally, we consider analyzing the memory usage of our Java programs.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

We consider two fundamental data types for storing collections of objects: the stack and the queue. We implement each using either a singly-linked list or a resizing array. We introduce two advanced Java features—generics and iterators—that simplify client code. Finally, we consider various applications of stacks and queues ranging from parsing arithmetic expressions to simulating queueing systems.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment

We introduce the sorting problem and Java's Comparable interface. We study two elementary sorting methods (selection sort and insertion sort) and a variation of one of them (shellsort). We also consider two algorithms for uniformly shuffling an array. We conclude with an application of sorting to computing the convex hull via the Graham scan algorithm.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

We study the mergesort algorithm and show that it guarantees to sort any array of n items with at most n lg n compares. We also consider a nonrecursive, bottom-up version. We prove that any compare-based sorting algorithm must make at least n lg n compares in the worst case. We discuss using different orderings for the objects that we are sorting and the related concept of stability.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment

We introduce and implement the randomized quicksort algorithm and analyze its performance. We also consider randomized quickselect, a quicksort variant which finds the kth smallest item in linear time. Finally, we consider 3-way quicksort, a variant of quicksort that works especially well in the presence of duplicate keys.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

We introduce the priority queue data type and an efficient implementation using the binary heap data structure. This implementation also leads to an efficient sorting algorithm known as heapsort. We conclude with an applications of priority queues where we simulate the motion of n particles subject to the laws of elastic collision.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment

We define an API for symbol tables (also known as associative arrays, maps, or dictionaries) and describe two elementary implementations using a sorted array (binary search) and an unordered list (sequential search). When the keys are Comparable, we define an extended API that includes the additional methods min, max floor, ceiling, rank, and select. To develop an efficient implementation of this API, we study the binary search tree data structure and analyze its performance.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

In this lecture, our goal is to develop a symbol table with guaranteed logarithmic performance for search and insert (and many other operations). We begin with 2−3 trees, which are easy to analyze but hard to implement. Next, we consider red−black binary search trees, which we view as a novel way to implement 2−3 trees as binary search trees. Finally, we introduce B-trees, a generalization of 2−3 trees that are widely used to implement file systems.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 assignment

We start with 1d and 2d range searching, where the goal is to find all points in a given 1d or 2d interval. To accomplish this, we consider kd-trees, a natural generalization of BSTs when the keys are points in the plane (or higher dimensions). We also consider intersection problems, where the goal is to find all intersections among a set of line segments or rectangles.

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 programming assignment

We begin by describing the desirable properties of hash function and how to implement them in Java, including a fundamental tenet known as the uniform hashing assumption that underlies the potential success of a hashing application. Then, we consider two strategies for implementing hash tables—separate chaining and linear probing. Both strategies yield constant-time performance for search and insert under the uniform hashing assumption.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

We consider various applications of symbol tables including sets, dictionary clients, indexing clients, and sparse vectors.

What's included

4 videos1 reading

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.8 (1,841 ratings)
Kevin Wayne
Princeton University
5 Courses1,812,950 learners
Robert Sedgewick
Princeton University
7 Courses1,858,536 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Algorithms

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 11512

4.9

11,512 reviews

  • 5 stars

    89.29%

  • 4 stars

    8.80%

  • 3 stars

    1.09%

  • 2 stars

    0.25%

  • 1 star

    0.56%

HM
5

Reviewed on May 9, 2019

DA
4

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2016

SP
5

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2020

New to Algorithms? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions