A system and method for determining an extreme value of data in various applications including audio, video and image encoding schemes. The system and method are used to generate a hierarchical data structure by partitioning the data values and then generating a hierarchy using indices of these data values, with the apex containing the index of the extreme value. The system and method allow for changes in the data values in the base level of the hierarchy to result in the ripple through of the indices to the apex in an efficient manner.