In a binary search tree, where are smaller values typically inserted?

In a binary search tree (BST), smaller values are typically inserted on the left side of the tree. This fundamental property of binary search trees ensures that for any given node, all values in its left subtree are less than the value of the node itself. This allows for efficient searching, insertion, and deletion operations.

When constructing or navigating a binary search tree, maintaining this property is crucial. If you have a node with a certain value, any new value that is smaller than that node must go into the left subtree, either as a new leaf node or further down, adhering to the same rules. This structure enables the binary search tree to efficiently partition data, leading to an average-case time complexity of O(log n) for operations like search, insert, and delete, making the use of the left subtree essential for optimizing performance.