Question

Consider the following lists:

List 1:

2

3

5

7

11

List 2: 

11

7

5

3

2

If the lists are sorted using Insertion sort then which of the lists List1 or List 2 will make the minimum number of comparisons? Justify using diagrammatic representation.

Answer 1

In case of sorting in Ascending order, List 1 will make minimum number of comparisons as it is already in ascending order.

In case of Descending order, List 2 will make minimum number of comparisons as it is in descending order.

Following diagram shows comparisons for ascending order sorting: