# Running Median

This algorithm showcases how useful Data Structures are for solving real-world programming problems.

Consider being tasked with performance critical computation of real time data statistics. It’s fairly easy to imagine calculating the max and min values for a dynamic list of numbers using a Binary Tree. Binary Trees provide Insert, Delete, Min, and Max operations with an asymptotic complexity of $O(\log_{2}n)$. Another option is maintaining two Heaps: one for the max value and one for the min value. Not a bad choice either because it’s possible to calculate min and max in constant time with the trade off of maintaining two data structures instead of one. Regardless of the chosen implementation, it’s possible to find min and max in logarithmic time. Is it feasible to do the same with median?

The only data structure presented as of yet that supports calculating median values is Sorted Arrays. In fact, median values are calculable in constant time with sorted arrays as is shown in the pseudo code below.

meidan:
SA = zero-based sorted array
n = number of items in array

middle_index = floor of n / 2

if n is odd:
return SA[median_index]
else // n is even
return (SA[median_index] + SA[median_index - 1]) / 2


The obvious problem is that sorted arrays are notoriously inadequate for handling insert and delete operations. For this use case, the data is constantly changing. Sorted Arrays just aren’t an option. So, if Sorted Arrays are the only data structure presented as of yet that supports calculating medians and they aren’t viable, it’s time to get creative with what’s available.

Recall that a Heap can calculate either a min or max, but not both, in constant time. Storing the lower half of the numbers in a max heap and the upper half in a min heap allows for insert and delete operations in logarithmic time as well as median calculations in constant time. This is a bit difficult to envision without examining the pseudo code.

## Asymptotic Complexity

• Median: $O(1)$
• Insert: $O(\log_{2}n)$

## Pseudo Code

global variables:
upper_heap = Heap holding upper half of the numbers, tracks min
lower_heap = Heap holding lower half of the numbers, tracks max
n = total items being tracked

insert:
x = new_value

if x is greater than lower_heap->find:
upper_heap->insert(x)
else
lower_heap->insert(x)

increment n

if is_balanced is false:
if upper_heap->n > lower_heap->n:
lower_heap->insert(upper_heap->extract())
else
upper_heap->insert(lower_heap->extract())

median:
if lower_heap->n = upper_heap->n:
return (lower_heap->find + upper_heap->find) / 2

return lower_heap->find

is_balanced:
if n is even:
return lower_heap->n == upper_heap->n

return lower_heap->n == (upper_heap->n + 1)


Full Repo

Relevant Files: