Algorithms · Searching, Sorting and Hashing
Official IIT answer key · IIT Kanpur · Audited Aug 2026
GATE CSE 2023 Q20 · MCQ · 1 mark
An algorithm has to store several keys generated by an adversary in a hash table. The adversary is malicious who tries to maximize the number of collisions. Let k be the number of keys, m be the number of slots in the hash table, and k>m.
Key concept
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Topic notes
Across GATE CS exams, Searching, Sorting, and Hashing are tested with a strong emphasis on exact comparison/swap counts, worst/best-case edge cases (especially for Quicksort and simultaneous min-max finding), trace-based simulation (such as step-by-step hashing probes and merge passes), and asymptotic tradeoffs for specialized or composite data inputs. Questions range from conceptual 1-mark classification to rigorous 2-mark NATs requiring precise manual execution of collision resolution or optimal merge trees.
Full Searching, Sorting and Hashing guide →An algorithm has to store several keys generated by an adversary in a hash table. The adversary is malicious who tries to maximize the number of collisions. Let k be the number of keys, m be the number of slots in the hash table, and k > m. Which one of the following is the best hashing strategy to counteract the adversary?
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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.
