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Return sorted squares of a sorted array

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates array-processing and algorithmic optimization skills, including handling negative values, element-wise transformations, and preserving sorted order after mapping.

  • medium
  • Uber
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Return sorted squares of a sorted array

Company: Uber

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Technical Screen

## Problem You are given an integer array `nums` sorted in **non-decreasing** order. The array may contain negative numbers. Return a new array containing the **square of each number**, also sorted in **non-decreasing** order. ## Input - `nums`: an array of integers sorted in non-decreasing order. ## Output - An array of integers representing the squares of `nums`, sorted in non-decreasing order. ## Constraints (typical interview scale) - `1 <= nums.length <= 10^5` - `-10^4 <= nums[i] <= 10^4` ## Examples - Input: `nums = [-4, -1, 0, 3, 10]` Output: `[0, 1, 9, 16, 100]` - Input: `nums = [-7, -3, 2, 3, 11]` Output: `[4, 9, 9, 49, 121]` ## Follow-up Can you solve it in **O(n)** time (better than sorting after squaring)?

Quick Answer: This question evaluates array-processing and algorithmic optimization skills, including handling negative values, element-wise transformations, and preserving sorted order after mapping.

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Uber
Jan 10, 2026, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
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Problem

You are given an integer array nums sorted in non-decreasing order. The array may contain negative numbers.

Return a new array containing the square of each number, also sorted in non-decreasing order.

Input

  • nums : an array of integers sorted in non-decreasing order.

Output

  • An array of integers representing the squares of nums , sorted in non-decreasing order.

Constraints (typical interview scale)

  • 1 <= nums.length <= 10^5
  • -10^4 <= nums[i] <= 10^4

Examples

  • Input: nums = [-4, -1, 0, 3, 10]
    Output: [0, 1, 9, 16, 100]
  • Input: nums = [-7, -3, 2, 3, 11]
    Output: [4, 9, 9, 49, 121]

Follow-up

Can you solve it in O(n) time (better than sorting after squaring)?

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