SEQUENTIAL AND PARALLEL ALGORITHMS FOR THE k CLOSEST PAIRS PROBLEM

Abstract

Let S be a set of n points in D-dimensional space, where D is a constant, and let k be an integer between 1 and [Formula: see text]. A new and simpler proof is given of Salowe’s theorem, i.e., a sequential algorithm is given that computes the k closest pairs in the set S in O(n log n+k) time, using O(n+k) space. The algorithm fits in the algebraic decision tree model and is, therefore, optimal. Salowe’s algorithm seems difficult to parallelize. A parallel version of our algorithm is given for the CRCW-PRAM model. This version runs in O((log n)2 log log n) expected parallel time and has an O(n log n log log n+k) time-processor product. Finally, actual running times are given of an implementation of our sequential algorithm.