# Average search in array solution is not correct

in an array of 1000 elements, knowing that the item one searches for is in the array and all items are randomly distributed. the worst case amount of comparisons one needs to make is 999 false ones, the remaining item is the one one is looking for... so on average 1 + 999 / 2 = 500,

the quiz regards the 500 answer as correct by the solution states it shouls be 500,5.

Also in the previous question I think that the quiz should considder the answer 999 as beeing the highest amount of comparisons, as correct for people who are assuming they are looking for an existing object in the array. It was because I made the "mistake" of assuming this, that I was more precise in the 'average' question, that states that the item is in the array

Note by Steven Heynderickx
9 months, 1 week ago

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Our float system accepts answers within a close % of the correct answer. In this case, it's a bit unfortunate since 500 is incorrect, but hopefully that clears up why that was happening.

I don't agree with the feedback about the worst number of comparisons. The question states: "Suppose that you have an unsorted array of 1000 emails and you want to check if abc123@gmail.com is in the array." -- If you already knew/assumed that it was in the array, you wouldn't need to check in the first place!

Staff - 9 months, 1 week ago