Python Bisect: Locate the left insertion point for a specified value in sorted order

Last update on April 01 2025 13:14:29 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

1. Left Insertion Point

Write a Python program to locate the left insertion point for a specified value in sorted order.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

import bisect
def index(a, x):
    i = bisect.bisect_left(a, x)
    return i
    
a = [1,2,4,5]
print(index(a, 6))
print(index(a, 3))

Sample Output:

4
2

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program that uses bisect_left to determine the insertion index for a target in a sorted list and then inserts the target at that index.
• Write a Python script to implement your own bisect_left function recursively and test it against Python’s bisect_left for various target values.
• Write a Python program to find the left insertion point for a target in a sorted list of floating-point numbers with duplicate entries and print the index.
• Write a Python function that, given a sorted list and a target, returns the leftmost index where the target can be inserted without breaking the order, and compare its output with the built-in bisect_left.

Python Code Editor:

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