Question

Describe the algorithm for finding the lowest value in an array.

Short answer

Answer: The algorithm for finding the lowest value in an array involves the following steps: 1. Initialize two variables, one for the index of the lowest value and another for the lowest value found so far. 2. Iterate through the array, starting from the second element, comparing each element with the current lowest value. 3. Update the lowest value and index when a smaller value is found. 4. Continue the process until the last element of the array is checked. 5. Return the index of the lowest value and its corresponding value.

Step-by-step solution

Initialize variables

Create two variables; one for keeping track of the index of the lowest value, and another for storing the lowest value found so far. Initially, set the index to 0, and set the lowest value variable to the first element of the array.

Iterate through the array

Loop through the array starting from the second element (index 1), since we have already considered the first element. For each element of the array, compare it with the current lowest value.

Update the lowest value and index

If the current element of the array is smaller than the current lowest value, update the lowest value to this new value and update the lowest value index to the current index of the array.

Check the remaining elements

Continue iterating through the array, comparing and updating the lowest value and index accordingly until you reach the last element of the array.

Return the result

After the loop has finished, you are now left with the lowest value in the array and its index. Return the index of the lowest value and its corresponding value, as these are the output of the algorithm.