I have reading [this][1] book for my class Randomized Algorithms. In this particular book, there is a whole section dedicated to finding the median of an array using random selection, that leads to a more efficient algorithm. Now, I wanted to know, if there are any practical applications of this algorithm in the domain of computer science besides being a theoretical improvement. Are there any algorithms or data structures, that need to find the median of an array? 


  [1]: http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/computer-science/algorithmics-complexity-computer-algebra-and-computational-g/probability-and-computing-randomization-and-probabilistic-techniques-algorithms-and-data-analysis-2nd-edition?format=HB&isbn=9781107154889#ZyaIfPiWTGLBD3bU.97