Time complexity is a fundamental concept in algorithm analysis. It measures the amount of time an algorithm takes to complete based on the size of the input. This measurement helps us understand how an algorithm will perform as the input size increases.
There are several commonly used notations to express time complexity, such as:
- O(1): Constant time complexity, where the time taken does not change with the input size.
- O(n): Linear time complexity, where the time taken grows linearly with the input size.
- O(n^2): Quadratic time complexity, where the time taken grows quadratically as the input size increases.
For our exercise, Algorithm E's time complexity is given as O(i), meaning it takes more time to process larger index elements. When analyzing an algorithm, understanding its time complexity is crucial to predict its performance and scalability.