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Asymptotic Analysis of T(n) = 2T(n/8) + 2T(n/4) + n

Submitted by: @import:stackexchange-cs··
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analysisasymptoticstackoverflow

Problem

Given the recurrence

$$T(n) = 2T\bigg(\frac{n}{8}\bigg) + 2T\bigg(\frac{n}{4}\bigg) + n$$

My professor says that $T(n)$ is $O(n\log n)$ but I have calculated a complexity of $O(n)$ as shown below with the substitution method.

So $T(n)$ is $\leq cn$ for every $c\geq4$. So in my opinion $T(n)$ is $O(n)$.

Who is right?

Solution

You are right: you can apply the Akra-Bazzi method to find that $T(n) \in \Theta(n)$.

Your professor is right: since $\Theta(n) \subseteq \mathcal{O}(n\log n)$, it is also true that $T(n) \in \mathcal{O}(n\log n)$.

Context

StackExchange Computer Science Q#150930, answer score: 5

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