Abstract: In some embodiments, a method determines a query distinction bit (D-bit) slice for a query key using values at D-bit positions that are associated with a node in the data structure. D-bit positions are determined based on branches in the data structure. The method selects a D-bit slice for a key in the set of keys for the node based on the D-bit slice of the query key and compares a key value for the key to a query key value for the query key to determine a first D-bit position value. A D-bit position that has a second D-bit position value that is smaller in value than the first D-bit position value is selected. The D-bit position is used to determine a result for the query key.