Ways to Solve Recurrence Relations

Here are the general steps to analyze the complexity of a recurrence relation:

• Substitute the input size into the recurrence relation to obtain a sequence of terms.
• Identify a pattern in the sequence of terms, if any, and simplify the recurrence relation to obtain a closed-form expression for the number of operations performed by the algorithm.
• Determine the order of growth of the closed-form expression by using techniques such as the Master Theorem, or by finding the dominant term and ignoring lower-order terms.
• Use the order of growth to determine the asymptotic upper bound on the running time of the algorithm, which can be expressed in terms of big O notation.

It’s important to note that the above steps are just a general outline and that the specific details of how to analyze the complexity of a recurrence relation can vary greatly depending on the specific recurrence relation being analyzed.

We have already discussed the analysis of loops. Many algorithms are recursive. When we analyze them, we get a recurrence relation for time complexity. We get running time on an input of size n as a function of n and the running time on inputs of smaller sizes. For example, in Merge Sort, to sort a given array, we divide it into two halves and recursively repeat the process for the two halves. Finally, we merge the results. Time complexity of Merge Sort can be written as T(n) = 2T(n/2) + cn. There are many other algorithms like Binary Search, Tower of Hanoi, etc. 

Overall, solving recurrences plays a crucial role in the analysis, design, and optimization of algorithms, and is an important topic in computer science.
There are mainly three ways of solving recurrences:

1. Substitution Method
2. Recurrence Tree Method
3. Master Method

1. Substitution Method:

We make a guess for the solution and then we use mathematical induction to prove the guess is correct or incorrect. 

For example, consider the recurrence T(n) = 2T(n/2) + n

We guess the solution as T(n) = O(nLogn). Now we use induction to prove our guess.

We need to prove that T(n) <= cnLogn. We can assume that it is true for values smaller than n.

T(n) = 2T(n/2) + n
     <= 2cn/2Log(n/2) + n
       =  cnLogn – cnLog2 + n
       =  cnLogn – cn + n
    <= cnLogn

2. Recurrence Tree Method:

In this method, we draw a recurrence tree and calculate the time taken by every level of the tree. Finally, we sum the work done at all levels. To draw the recurrence tree, we start from the given recurrence and keep drawing till we find a pattern among levels. The pattern is typically arithmetic or geometric series. 

Consider the recurrence relation, T(n) = T(n/4) + T(n/2) + cn2

            cn2
            /      \
  T(n/4)     T(n/2)

If we further break down the expression T(n/4) and T(n/2), we get the following recursion tree.

                    cn2
              /          \      
    c(n2)/16          c(n2)/4
   /         \            /         \
T(n/16)  T(n/8)  T(n/8)    T(n/4) 

Breaking down further gives us following

                        cn2 
                /               \     
       c(n2)/16               c(n2)/4
    /          \               /          \
c(n2)/256  c(n2)/64 c(n2)/64   c(n2)/16
 /    \            /    \       /    \        /    \  

To know the value of T(n), we need to calculate the sum of tree nodes level by level. If we sum the above tree level by level, we get the following series T(n) = c(n^2 + 5(n^2)/16 + 25(n^2)/256) + ….
The above series is a geometrical progression with a ratio of 5/16.

To get an upper bound, we can sum the infinite series. We get the sum as (n2)/(1 – 5/16) which is O(n2)

3. Master Method:

Master Method is a direct way to get the solution. The master method works only for the following type of recurrences or for recurrences that can be transformed into the following type. 
 

T(n) = aT(n/b) + f(n) where a >= 1 and b > 1

There are the following three cases: 

• If f(n) = O(nc) where c < Logba then T(n) = Θ(nLogba) 
• If f(n) = Θ(nc) where c = Logba then T(n) = Θ(ncLog n) 
• If f(n) = Ω(nc) where c > Logba then T(n) = Θ(f(n)) 

How does this work? 

The master method is mainly derived from the recurrence tree method. If we draw the recurrence tree of T(n) = aT(n/b) + f(n), we can see that the work done at the root is f(n), and work done at all leaves is Θ(nc) where c is Logba. And the height of the recurrence tree is Logbn 
 

In the Recurrence Tree Method, we calculate the total work done. If the work done at leaves is polynomial more, then leaves are the dominant part, and our result becomes the work done at leaves (Case 1). If work done at leaves and root is asymptotically the same, then our result becomes height multiplied by work done at any level (Case 2). If work done at the root is asymptotically more, then our result becomes work done at the root (Case 3). 

Examples of some standard algorithms whose time complexity can be evaluated using the Master Method 

• Merge Sort: T(n) = 2T(n/2) + Θ(n). It falls in case 2 as c is 1 and Logba] is also 1. So, the solution is Θ(n Logn) 
• Binary Search: T(n) = T(n/2) + Θ(1). It also falls in case 2 as c is 0 and Logba is also 0. So, the solution is Θ(Logn)

Have you ever wondered how to calculate the time complexity of algorithms like Fibonacci Series, Merge Sort, etc. where the problem is solved by dividing it into subproblems. This is done by analyzing the Recurrence Relations of these algorithms. In this article, we will learn about the basics of Recurrence Relations and how to analyze them.