What sorting method involves taking elements from an unsorted list and inserting them into a sorted list?

The sorting method that involves taking elements from an unsorted list and inserting them into a sorted list is known as insertion sort. This algorithm works by building a sorted section of the list one element at a time. The process begins with the first element, which is considered sorted. The next element is compared to the elements in the sorted list and is placed in the appropriate position to maintain the order. This continues with each subsequent element from the unsorted list, effectively constructing a new sorted list by inserting each element into its correct position within the existing sorted portion.

Insertion sort is particularly intuitive and mirrors the way one might sort playing cards in their hands, where you pick one card at a time and find its place among the others already sorted. This method is well-suited for lists that are partially sorted or small in size, as its performance improves in those cases.

Other sorting methods listed, such as selection sort, merge sort, and bubble sort, operate on different principles. Selection sort repeatedly selects the smallest (or largest) element from the unsorted section and moves it to the end of the sorted section. Merge sort divides the list into smaller sublists, sorts them individually, and then merges them back together. Bubble sort repeatedly steps through the list,