Linear search MCQs – T4Tutorials.com

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1. : What is the primary purpose of the Linear Search algorithm?
(A) To find the maximum element in an array
(B) To sort an array
(C) To search for a specific element in an array
(D) To merge two arrays

2. : What is the time complexity of Linear Search in the worst case?
(A) O(1)
(B) O(n)
(C) O(log n)
(D) O(n^2)

3. : In which of the following scenarios is Linear Search most efficient?
(A) When the array is sorted
(B) When the array is unsorted and small
(C) When the array is very large
(D) When searching for the smallest element

4. : What does Linear Search do when it finds the target element?
(A) It returns the index of the element
(B) It returns the value of the element
(C) It continues searching through the array
(D) It throws an error

5. : What is the best-case time complexity for Linear Search?
(A) O(1)
(B) O(log n)
(C) O(n)
(D) O(n log n)

6. : Which of the following is a disadvantage of Linear Search?
(A) It is easy to implement.
(B) It is slow for large datasets.
(C) It works on sorted arrays.
(D) It requires additional memory.

7. : What type of data structures can Linear Search be applied to?
(A) Arrays only
(B) Linked lists only
(C) Both arrays and linked lists
(D) Trees only

8. : What happens if the target element is not found in a Linear Search?
(A) It returns the index -1
(B) It returns a null value
(C) It throws an exception
(D) It continues searching indefinitely

9. : What is the average-case time complexity of Linear Search?
(A) O(1)
(B) O(n)
(C) O(log n)
(D) O(n^2)

10. : Which of the following statements about Linear Search is true?
(A) It requires the array to be sorted.
(B) It can be used for any type of data structure.
(C) It is a recursive algorithm.
(D) It is more efficient than binary search.

11. : Which algorithm would typically be faster than Linear Search for large sorted datasets?
(A) Bubble Sort
(B) Selection Sort
(C) Binary Search
(D) Quick Sort

12. : In a Linear Search algorithm, how many comparisons are made in the worst case?
(A) n/2
(B) n
(C) log n
(D) n^2

13. : What type of search algorithm is Linear Search classified as?
(A) Recursive
(B) Iterative
(C) Divide and conquer
(D) Backtracking

14. : How does Linear Search begin its process?
(A) By sorting the array
(B) By dividing the array
(C) By examining each element sequentially
(D) By using a recursive function

15. : Which of the following best describes the Linear Search algorithm?
(A) It uses a binary tree structure.
(B) It repeatedly divides the search space.
(C) It checks each element until the target is found.
(D) It merges two sorted lists.

16. : What is the space complexity of Linear Search?
(A) O(1)
(B) O(n)
(C) O(log n)
(D) O(n^2)

17. : What will happen if multiple instances of the target element exist in the array?
(A) Linear Search will stop at the first instance.
(B) Linear Search will find the last instance.
(C) Linear Search will find all instances.
(D) Linear Search will return an error.

18. : Which of the following scenarios would NOT benefit from Linear Search?
(A) Searching an element in a small, unsorted array
(B) Finding an element in a large, sorted array
(C) Looking for an element in a linked list
(D) Searching for a specific value in an array of strings

19. : What will be the result of a Linear Search if the array is empty?
(A) It will return 0.
(B) It will throw an error.
(C) It will return -1.
(D) It will search indefinitely.

20. : Which algorithm is generally preferred for searching large, sorted datasets?
(A) Linear Search
(B) Quick Search
(C) Binary Search
(D) Sequential Search

21. : What is the best way to improve the efficiency of searching through a large dataset?
(A) Use Linear Search instead of Binary Search
(B) Sort the data first
(C) Use a linked list instead of an array
(D) Increase the size of the array

22. : In Linear Search, if the search key is found, what does the algorithm return?
(A) The last index of the array
(B) The number of comparisons made
(C) The index of the found element
(D) The entire array

23. : How is Linear Search implemented in code?
(A) Using a recursive function only
(B) Using an iterative loop
(C) Using a tree structure
(D) Using a hashing technique

24. : What is the time complexity of Linear Search on a linked list?
(A) O(1)
(B) O(log n)
(C) O(n)
(D) O(n^2)

25. : Which of the following best describes the performance of Linear Search compared to more advanced algorithms?
(A) It is always faster.
(B) It is slower for large datasets.
(C) It has constant time complexity.
(D) It is always stable.

26. : What kind of search is used when the array is guaranteed to be in random order?
(A) Linear Search
(B) Binary Search
(C) Jump Search
(D) Interpolation Search

27. : What should be the initial value of the search index in a Linear Search algorithm?
(A) The last index of the array
(B) The middle index of the array
(C) The first index of the array
(D) It can be any random index

28. : In which case would Linear Search perform at its best?
(A) Searching in a sorted array
(B) Searching in a very small array
(C) Searching in a large array
(D) Searching for multiple elements

29. : Which of the following best describes a situation where Linear Search is preferred?
(A) When the data is dynamic and frequently changes
(B) When the data is sorted and static
(C) When quick access times are required
(D) When searching in a tree structure

30. : How would you define the efficiency of Linear Search?
(A) Fast for all cases
(B) Slow but straightforward
(C) Efficient for large datasets
(D) Always requires sorting

31. : What is the typical use case for Linear Search?
(A) Searching for items in databases
(B) Finding elements in small lists
(C) Sorting large datasets
(D) Merging data from different sources

32. : In Linear Search, if the element appears multiple times, what does it return?
(A) The index of the first occurrence
(B) The count of occurrences
(C) The index of the last occurrence
(D) An error

33. : What is the primary characteristic of Linear Search?
(A) Requires sorted data
(B) Iterates through each element
(C) Uses divide and conquer
(D) Works only with arrays

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Linear search MCQs
By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: May 15, 2025

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