Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 47%

An algorithm should output the range of a list of integers. Which test is a valid test of the algorithm?

Rationale

Input [18, 10, 6, 14, 18, 4]. Ensure output is 14.

To determine the range of a list of integers, the algorithm must calculate the difference between the maximum and minimum values. For the input list, the maximum is 18 and the minimum is 4, resulting in a range of 14 (18 - 4 = 14).

A (Input [18, 10, 6, 14, 18, 4]. Ensure output is 14) CORRECT

This choice accurately assesses the algorithm's functionality by providing a correct input that yields a range of 14, confirming that the algorithm correctly computes the difference between the maximum (18) and minimum (4) values.

B (Input [-7, -6, -14, -12, -14, -18, 18, 15, -15]. Ensure output is 8) YOUR ANSWER

This input incorrectly states that the range is 8. The maximum value is 18, and the minimum is -18, leading to a calculated range of 36 (18 - (-18) = 36). Therefore, the expected output does not reflect the correct range.

C (Input [13, -7, -12, 19, 1, 15, -2, 5, 18]. Ensure output is 26) YOUR ANSWER

The maximum value in this input is 19, and the minimum is -12, resulting in a range of 31 (19 - (-12) = 31). Thus, stating that the output should be 26 is incorrect.

D (Input [8, 5, -20, 19, 20, 13, 20]. Ensure output is 15) YOUR ANSWER

For this input, the maximum value is 20 and the minimum is -20, giving a range of 40 (20 - (-20) = 40). Hence, the expected output of 15 does not correspond with the actual range.

Conclusion

The algorithm's ability to compute the range of a list of integers is validated through proper input-output relationships. Choice A stands out as the only valid test, producing the correct range of 14. The other options miscalculate the range based on their respective maximum and minimum values, demonstrating the importance of accurate computations in algorithm testing.

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