Exam-style question
Try this first
What does a linear search do when searching a list for a target value?.
- A.It checks items one at a time from the beginning until the target is found or the list ends.
- B.It repeatedly checks the middle item and discards half of the list.
- C.It sorts the list before checking every item.
- D.It compares only the first and last items.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It checks items one at a time from the beginning until the target is found or the list ends.
Explanation
Why this works
A linear search examines list elements sequentially, starting at the first element. It stops when the target is found or when every element has been checked.
Common mistake
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