Which data structure is commonly used in backtracking algorithms to keep track of the current state and make decisions?2 pointsQueueStackArrayLinked list

The data structure that is commonly used in backtracking algorithms to keep track of the current state and make decisions is a Stack.

Here's why:

1. Backtracking involves exploring all possible solutions for a problem before settling on the final one. This process often involves a depth-first search, which is best implemented using a stack.

2. A stack is a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure. This means that the last element added to the stack is the first one to be removed. This property is particularly useful in backtracking algorithms because it allows the algorithm to backtrack (i.e., go back to the previous state) whenever it determines that the current state does not lead to a solution.

3. When an algorithm needs to backtrack, it can simply pop the top element from the stack to revert to the previous state. This makes the stack an efficient data structure for managing the states in backtracking algorithms.

4. Other data structures like queues, arrays, and linked lists can also be used to manage states, but they do not provide the LIFO property that makes stacks particularly suitable for backtracking algorithms.