PracHub
QuestionsPremiumLearningGuidesInterview PrepNEWCoaches
|Home/Coding & Algorithms/Meta

Implement range-sum tree and sort merged lists

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates proficiency in data structures and algorithms, focusing on tree traversal and range-query reasoning (including how binary search tree invariants affect strategy) and on in-place merging and pointer manipulation for singly linked lists.

  • Medium
  • Meta
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Implement range-sum tree and sort merged lists

Company: Meta

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: Medium

Interview Round: Take-home Project

1) Given a binary tree whose nodes store integer values, and two integers low and high defining an inclusive range [low, high], write a function that returns the sum of all node values within the range. Implement the solution in C++, explain your approach, and analyze its time and space complexity. Discuss how your strategy would change if the input were guaranteed to be a binary search tree and why. 2) Given two singly linked lists of integers (not necessarily sorted), merge them into a single singly linked list whose nodes are in nondecreasing order. Reuse the existing nodes (avoid allocating new value nodes except constant-overhead helpers). Implement the solution in C++, explain the algorithm, and analyze time and space complexity. If the input lists are already sorted, describe a linear-time alternative and its complexity.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates proficiency in data structures and algorithms, focusing on tree traversal and range-query reasoning (including how binary search tree invariants affect strategy) and on in-place merging and pointer manipulation for singly linked lists.

Related Interview Questions

  • Solve Tree Columns And Maze Variants - Meta (medium)
  • Solve a Key-Door Corridor Maze - Meta (medium)
  • Solve Array Merge and Parentheses Cleanup - Meta (medium)
  • Solve Two Backtracking Array Problems - Meta (hard)
  • Solve Maze and Suffix Problems - Meta (medium)
Meta logo
Meta
Jul 16, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Take-home Project
Coding & Algorithms
3
0
  1. Given a binary tree whose nodes store integer values, and two integers low and high defining an inclusive range [low, high], write a function that returns the sum of all node values within the range. Implement the solution in C++, explain your approach, and analyze its time and space complexity. Discuss how your strategy would change if the input were guaranteed to be a binary search tree and why.
  2. Given two singly linked lists of integers (not necessarily sorted), merge them into a single singly linked list whose nodes are in nondecreasing order. Reuse the existing nodes (avoid allocating new value nodes except constant-overhead helpers). Implement the solution in C++, explain the algorithm, and analyze time and space complexity. If the input lists are already sorted, describe a linear-time alternative and its complexity.

Comments (0)

Sign in to leave a comment

Loading comments...

Browse More Questions

More Coding & Algorithms•More Meta•More Software Engineer•Meta Software Engineer•Meta Coding & Algorithms•Software Engineer Coding & Algorithms
PracHub

Master your tech interviews with 7,500+ real questions from top companies.

Product

  • Questions
  • Learning Tracks
  • Interview Guides
  • Resources
  • Premium
  • For Universities
  • Student Access

Browse

  • By Company
  • By Role
  • By Category
  • Topic Hubs
  • SQL Questions
  • Compare Platforms
  • Discord Community

Support

  • support@prachub.com
  • (916) 541-4762

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • About Us

© 2026 PracHub. All rights reserved.