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Cost efficiency

Measure of parallel computing efficacy

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Source updated March 3, 2026

Cost efficiency (or cost optimality), in the context of parallel computer algorithms, refers to a measure of how effectively parallel computing can be used to solve a particular problem. A parallel algorithm is considered cost efficient if its asymptotic running time multiplied by the number of processing units involved in the computation is comparable to the running time of the best sequential algorithm.

For example, an algorithm that can be solved in $O(n)$ time using the best known sequential algorithm and $O\left({\frac {n}{p}}\right)$ in a parallel computer with $p$ processors will be considered cost efficient.

Cost efficiency also has applications to human services.

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This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Cost efficiency”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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