GATE ECE 2023 | Question: 55

Question

The frequency of occurrence of $8$ symbols $(a-h)$ is shown in the table below. A symbol is chosen and it is determined by asking a series of $\text{"yes/no"}$ questions which are assumed to be truthfully answered. The average number of questions when asked in the most efficient sequence, to determine the chosen symbol, is _______________ (rounded off to two decimal places).

Symbols	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
Frequency of occurence	$\frac{1}{2}$	$\frac{1}{4}$	$\frac{1}{8}$	$\frac{1}{16}$	$\frac{1}{32}$	$\frac{1}{64}$	$\frac{1}{128}$	$\frac{1}{128}$