[Term Entry] C++ Unordered-sets :load_factor()

content/cpp/concepts/unordered-set/terms/load-factor/load-factor.md

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+---
+Title: 'load_factor()'
+Description: 'Returns the current load factor in an unordered set.'
+Subjects:
+  - 'Code Foundations'
+  - 'Computer Science'
+Tags:
+  - 'Containers'
+  - 'Methods'
+  - 'Sets'
+  - 'STL'
+CatalogContent:
+  - 'learn-c-plus-plus'
+  - 'paths/computer-science'
+---
+
+In C++, the **`load_factor()`** method returns the current load factor of an `unordered_set`. The load factor is defined as the average number of elements per bucket and is calculated as:
+
+```
+number of elements ÷ number of buckets
+```
+
+This value helps evaluate how efficiently the hash table is using its buckets and can indicate when rehashing may occur.
+
+## Syntax
+
+```pseudo
+unordered_set_name.load_factor();
+```
+
+**Parameters:**
+
+This method takes no parameters.
+
+**Return value:**
+
+Returns a floating-point value of type `float` representing the current load factor of the container.
+
+## Example 1: Retrieving the Load Factor
+
+This example shows how to retrieve the load factor after inserting elements into an `unordered_set`:
+
+```cpp
+#include <iostream>
+#include <unordered_set>
+
+int main() {
+  std::unordered_set<int> numbers = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
+
+  std::cout << "Load factor: " << numbers.load_factor() << std::endl;
+
+  return 0;
+}
+```
+
+The output of this code is:
+
+```shell
+Load factor: 1
+```
+
+## Codebyte Example: Observing Load Factor Changes During Insertions
+
+This example demonstrates how the load factor changes as elements are added to an `unordered_set`:
+
+```codebyte/cpp
+#include <iostream>
+#include <unordered_set>
+
+int main() {
+  std::unordered_set<int> values;
+
+  for (int i = 1; i <= 20; i++) {
+    values.insert(i);
+    std::cout << "After inserting " << i
+              << " elements, load factor: "
+              << values.load_factor() << std::endl;
+  }
+
+  return 0;
+}
+```
+
+## Frequently Asked Questions
+
+### 1. What is the load factor of `unordered_map`?
+
+The load factor of an `unordered_map` is the average number of elements per bucket, calculated as the number of elements divided by the number of buckets.
+
+### 2. What does `unordered_set` do in C++?
+
+An `unordered_set` stores unique elements in no particular order using a hash table, allowing fast average-time insertion, deletion, and lookup.
+
+### 3. How to implement `unordered_set` in C++?
+
+Include the `<unordered_set>` header, create an `unordered_set` object, and insert elements using insert() or initializer lists while relying on hashing for storage and access.