3 ms·
I noticed some comments here discussing the right prerequisite knowledge to understand big-O and friends. I propose limits. I think it would be a lot easier fo
by infogulch 6y ago
I noticed some comments here discussing the right prerequisite knowledge to understand big-O and friends.
I propose limits. I think it would be a lot easier for someone to understand how to think about big-O if they already understood limits.
Lim [x -> inf] O(f(x))/O(g(x))
If you know limits, you know you how and why you can ignore all but the highest power term, how to compare and simplify other kinds of terms, etc. Though maybe that's too much to ask of someone new.
- windowojji 6y ago> Lim [x -> inf] O(f(x))/O(g(x)) I understand both limits and I've taught asymptotic analysis in the past. O(f(x)) and O(g(x)) are sets. How does one divide two sets? This explanation is ill formed.
- psibi 6y agoI don't think limits is a good way to understand it because of the reasons here: https://math.stackexchange.com/a/3222489/124772 https://math.stackexchange.com/a/3222489/124772