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Implement sparse vector dot product

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates understanding of sparse data representations, efficient algorithm design for vector operations, and rigorous time and space complexity analysis.

  • Medium
  • Meta
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Implement sparse vector dot product

Company: Meta

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: Medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Design a SparseVector class initialized from an integer array where many entries may be zero. Implement dotProduct(SparseVector other) to compute the dot product efficiently when vectors are sparse—faster than O(n) over all positions. Describe the data structures you would use (e.g., index-value maps or compressed lists), handle vectors of different sparsity patterns, and analyze time and space complexity.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates understanding of sparse data representations, efficient algorithm design for vector operations, and rigorous time and space complexity analysis.

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Meta
Aug 14, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Onsite
Coding & Algorithms
2
0

Design a SparseVector class initialized from an integer array where many entries may be zero. Implement dotProduct(SparseVector other) to compute the dot product efficiently when vectors are sparse—faster than O(n) over all positions. Describe the data structures you would use (e.g., index-value maps or compressed lists), handle vectors of different sparsity patterns, and analyze time and space complexity.

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