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    int a = 0;
    for (int i = 0; i < n*n; ++i) {
        for (int j = 0; j <= i; ++j) {
            a += j;
        }
    }

Could someone help prove to me that this is function is $O(N^4)$.

I remember doing this problem a while back, but now I do not see it.

I understand that the outer loop is $O(N^2)$ but I am unsure of how this would cause the inner loop to be $O(N^2)$ as well

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2 Answers 2

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Consider the range of j in the inner loop:

  • What is its maximum?
  • What is its average?
  • What is its average average?
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  • $\begingroup$ j is going to go as much as n^2 but i fail to connect the dots. if n=5, the outer loop will loop 25 or so times. for each of the outer loops, the inner loop will loop as many times as i. so 0 times, 1 times, 2 times,...25 times. I know that when it loops 25 times that is o(N^2) but how are the previous loops accounted for $\endgroup$
    – csguy
    Jun 15, 2017 at 15:57
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What does the big-Oh notation mean ? It always gives me an upper bound(worst case scenario) on the running time of an algorithm.

What is the worst-case running time of this algorithm ? It will happen when the outer loop (where i is defined) reaches its maximum value, and so j is subsequently forced to follow till i.

This should give you your answer.

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  • $\begingroup$ No, big-O notation gives you an upper bound on a function. That function could be used to measure anything. Worst case behaviour is the most natural and obvious thing but it makes perfect sense to say that the average or even best case is $O(f)$ for some function. (E.g., saying that the best case is $O(n^2)$ rules out the possibility that the algorithm is exponential for all inputs.) $\endgroup$
    – David Richerby
    Jun 15, 2017 at 16:50

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