2 The following algorithm acts on a list of three or more numbers.
Step 1: Set both X and Y equal to the first number on the list.
Step 2: If there is no next number then go to Step 5.
Step 3: If the next number on the list is bigger than X then set X equal to it. If it is less than Y then set Y equal to it. Step 4: Go to Step 2.
Step 5: Delete a number equal to X from the list and delete a number equal to Y from the list.
Step 6: If there is one number left then record it as the answer and stop.
Step 7: If there are two numbers left then record their mean as the answer and stop.
Step 8: Go to Step 1.

1. Apply the algorithm to the list \(5,14,153,6,24,2,14,15\), counting the number of comparisons which you have to make.
2. Apply the algorithm to the list \(5,14,153,6,24,2,14\), counting the number of comparisons which you have to make.
3. Say what the algorithm is finding.
4. The order of the algorithm is quadratic. Explain what this means when it is applied to long lists.