**Trisection Search Algorithm Explanation** Consider the algorithm referred to as trisection search. Trisection search determines whether a specified integer \( x \) is part of a sorted list \( L \) of integers. Assume that the length of \( L \) is \( 3^p \) for some integer \( p \). ### Algorithm: TrisectionSearch(\( x, L \)) 1. If \( L \) has a length of 1, return `True` if the single element equals \( x \), and return `False` otherwise. 2. Divide \( L \) into three equal sections, named \( L_1, L_2, \) and \( L_3 \). Denote the last elements of these lists by \( \ell_1, \ell_2, \ell_3 \), respectively. - If \( x \leq \ell_1 \), then return TrisectionSearch(\( x, L_1 \)). - Else, if \( \ell_1 < x \leq \ell_2 \), then return TrisectionSearch(\( x, L_2 \)). - Else, if \( \ell_2 < x \), then return TrisectionSearch(\( x, L_3 \)). ### Part A Provide a big-\( O \) estimate for the total integer comparisons made by the trisection search on a list of length \( n = 3^p \). Follow these steps: 1. Establish a recurrence relation justifying the comparison count (referencing a helpful example). 2. Use a theorem to achieve a big-\( O \) estimate. ### Part B Evaluate each statement with "true" or "false" and give a brief justification: 1. Trisection search requires the same number of integer comparisons as binary search. 2. Trisection search necessitates no more than 10% additional comparisons than binary search. 3. If \( n \) rises by a factor of 10, both binary and trisection search comparison counts will grow similarly (though not exactly equivalently).

As a computer maker, you are expected to provide reliable machines that can do complex tasks quickly and at a reasonable cost. Can an affordable, high-quality machine be constructed?

Create a spreadsheet that shows all the floating-point numbers for the 9-bit floating point numbers  with one sign bit, 4 exponent bits, and 4 fraction bits. Show all the possible floating-point  numbers that can be represented in this 9-bit system. You need to compute all the floating point values that can be represented.  Please post it here for a copy and paste.

Why? These days' PCs are very powerful machines. Is there evidence that computer use in schools has increased over the last several decades?