3.1.4 Sorting algoritms

L5 Sorting algorithms.pptx

Success criteria

To meet this assessment objective, you need to be able to:

  • Understand and explain how the merge sort algorithm works.

  • Understand and explain how the bubble sort algorithm works.

  • Compare and contrast merge sort and bubble sort algorithms (advantages and disadvantages)

  • Click here for a visual of several Sorting Algorithms in action

Numbers for the human sort activity





Bubble sort


Merge sort


Practise makes perfect

Practise the merge sort

Want to practise the Bubble sort?


Visualise the sorting algorithms


Implementing the sorting algorithms (Python

Copy BOTH of the programs into your chosen IDE.

  1. Run the program.

  2. Can you explain what is happening in the program?

  3. Can you change the items in the list?

  4. Have a go at extending the program further.

bubble sort.py

Bubble sort


timing sorts 2020.py

Timing sorts

Insertion sort is NOT part of our specification