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Introduction to Algorithms, 2/e
Thomas H. Cormen, Dartmouth College
Charles E. Leiserson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ronald L. Rivest, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Clifford Stein, Columbia University

Medians and Order Statistics

Glossary


order statistic  The ith order statistic of a set of n elements is the ith smallest element.
(See page 183)
minimum  the minimum of a set of elements is the first order statistic (i - 1)
(See page 183)
maximum  The maximum of a set of elements is the nth order statistic (i = n).
(See page 183)
median  informally it is the "halfway point" of a set.
(See page 183)
selection point  can be specified formally as follows:

Input: A set A of n (distinct) numbers and a number i, with 1 ≤ in.

Output: The element of xA that is larger than exactly i - 1 other elements of A.


(See page 183)