Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 20N.1.HL.TZ0.12 |
Level | HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | no time zone |
Command term | Describe | Question number | 12 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Describe one difference between stack and queue data structures.
State the purpose of the following queue method:
enqueue()
State the purpose of the following queue method:
dequeue()
State the purpose of the following queue method:
isEmpty()
Assume that the queue Q holds the following data:
The reversed queue Q would be:
Construct an algorithm in pseudocode for reversing the queue using a stack data structure.
You may assume that the data in the queue is input and a new empty stack is created.
Only the standard queue and stack operations are allowed.
Consider the following recursive method:
mystery(N)
if N>0 then
return 3 + mystery(N-3)
else
return 3
end if
end mystery
where N
is an integer.
Determine the value of mystery(7)
. Show all your working.
Outline one disadvantage of solving problems recursively.
Markscheme
Award [2 max]
In a stack, the same end is used to insert and delete the elements;
whilst two different ends are used in the queue to insert and delete the elements;
Stack has only one open end so only one pointer is used to refer to the top of the stack;
but queue has two open ends and two pointers should be used (to refer front and the rear end of the queue);
Queue is a first-in-first-out (FIFO) data structure;
and stack is last-in-first-out (LIFO) data structure;
Award [1 max]
(enqueue
) adds an item to rear/tail of the queue;
Award [1 max]
(dequeue
) removes an item from front/head of the queue;
Award [1 max]
(isEmpty
)
checks if the queue is empty or not;
returns TRUE
if the queue is empty, FALSE
otherwise;
Award [5 max]
Award [1] for a while loop (through queue);
Award [1] for placing each item removed from the beginning of the queue to the top of the stack;
Award [1] for a while loop (through stack);
Award [1] for adding each element popped from the stack to the end of the queue;
Award [1] for the correct use of stack and queue methods;
Example:
//S is a new/created empty stack
// push all of the elements of Q to stack
while not Q.isEmpty()
X=Q.dequeue()
S.push(X) // OR S.push(Q.dequeue())
end while
//then, pop each element from the stack and add it to Q
while not S.isEmpty()
X=S.pop()
Q.enqueue(X); //OR Q.enqueue(S.pop())
end while
Award [3 max]
mystery(7)= 3 + mystery(4);
= 3 +3 + mystery(1) ;
= 3 +3 + 3 +mystery(-2)=3+3+3+3=12 ;
NOTE: Award only [1] if the working is not shown and only the final result is given.
Award [2 max]
More difficult/complicated to code;
if the data structure being processed is not recursive;
It is difficult to find bugs;
particularly while using global variables;
Can use more memory (than iterative solution) when executed;
because every recursive call increases the call stack;
Recursion to a deeper level will be difficult/impossible to implement;
if the call stack space on the system is limited;
Slower execution / using a recursive function takes more time to execute;
as compared to its non- recursive/ iterative counterpart;
Examiners report
Well answered question.
Candidates mostly gave good responses for this question.
Candidates mostly gave good responses for this question.
Candidates mostly gave good responses for this question.
A few candidates did not attempt this question. However, those who did generally answered well. A few candidates incorrectly used 'enqueue' operations also for the stack.
A simple enough recursive algorithm, leading to a high number of correct answers.