Which of the following is not a mutation operator in a genetic algorithm?

A. Random resetting

B. Scramble

C. Inversion

D. Difference

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is D only

Key PointsMutation operators in a Genetic Algorithm are used for perturbing the genes in a solution. They help in keeping the diversity of the population and avoiding premature convergence on local optima. Here's a brief explanation of the operators mentioned:

• A. Random Resetting: This is a type of mutation operator where a specific gene in a chromosome is randomly chosen and assigned a new value from the feasible parameter range.
• B. Scramble: This operator randomly selects two points in the chromosome and then shuffles the genes between those points.
• C. Inversion: Inversion mutation operators select a substring (i.e., a portion of the chromosome) and revert the order of genes within that.
• D. Difference: This is not a known mutation operator in the context of genetic algorithms.

Therefore, the answer is 4) D only.