A method for integrating population count operations with bit shift operations has been developed. The method can be used for incrementing a pointer by a population count of a sparse vector. The method further provides for balancing the input loads at the inputs of the population count and bit shift circuits so that the execution of operations is more balanced, which, in effect, increases computational speed and efficiency. An apparatus that integrates population count circuitry and bit shift circuitry has also been developed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of dynamic stages followed by static stages. The dynamic stages involve the use of dynamic nodes which represent values dependent upon values of individual bits in the pointer and the sparse vector. The apparatus further allows for an expansion through circuit repetition so that the topology of the apparatus can change according to the size of the pointer and sparse vector.