From 0 to 1 Data Structures & Algorithms in Java - The Binary Search Tree - an introduction

The video tutorial introduces binary search trees (BST), a variation of binary trees with additional constraints that allow for fast lookup and insertion operations. It explains the structure of BSTs, where each node can have at most two children, and the left subtree contains nodes with values less than or equal to the node, while the right subtree contains nodes with values greater than the node. An example is provided to illustrate these constraints. The tutorial highlights the efficiency of BSTs in performing operations due to the unambiguous placement of nodes, which ensures fast insertion and lookup processes.

What is a key characteristic of a binary search tree that differentiates it from a regular binary tree?

• It has more than two children per node.

• It allows duplicate values.

• It has constraints on the values of nodes in the left and right subtrees.

• It is always balanced.

What is another term used for a binary search tree?

• Balanced tree

• Ordered binary tree

• Complete tree

• Heap

In a binary search tree, what is true about the values of nodes in the left subtree of a given node?

• They are not constrained by the node's value.

• They are less than or equal to the node's value.

• They are greater than the node's value.

• They are equal to the node's value.

In a binary search tree, what is true about the values of nodes in the right subtree of a given node?

• They are less than the node's value.

• They are equal to the node's value.

• They are greater than the node's value.

• They are not constrained by the node's value.

What happens to the structure of a binary search tree if the order of node insertion changes?

• The tree becomes unbalanced.

• The tree becomes a linked list.

• The tree structure remains the same.

• The tree structure changes but remains a valid BST.

Why are insertions in a binary search tree considered fast?

• Because the tree is always balanced.

• Because there is exactly one position for each new node.

• Because nodes can be inserted anywhere.

• Because nodes are inserted at the root.

What ensures that lookups in a binary search tree are efficient?

• There is only one possible location for each node.

• The tree is a complete binary tree.

• Nodes are stored in an array.

• The tree is always balanced.