CSC 216/s08/prevent error

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Merge Sort

The underlying method of merge sort.

The problem

Merge sort is the quickest and most efficient of sorting methods, but it is run by an underlying concept that is not necessarily easy to grasp. It is our goal to make it more understandable.

Participants and props

This exercise can be done with any number of students. Preferably there should be ten or more students participating. No other props are required.

The script

We shall teach merge sort by sorting a group of students. There are many ways that students can be sorted, for this example we shall use height. A group of students should be arranged at the front of the room in a line. Follow the following steps. 1. Check to see if there is only one student in the line 1. Divide the line of students in two down the middle by moving the right half to the right and the left half to the left. NOTE: when the line of students has an odd number, the larger half should be the one on the right. 2. --sorry, will finish asap---