Solve four OA algorithm problems

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Quick Overview

This multi-part exercise evaluates algorithmic problem-solving across combinatorics and geometry (counting axis-aligned square subgrids), string reordering under adjacency constraints (minimum adjacent swaps to form a palindrome), deterministic grid-walk simulation with teleportation and cycle detection, and prefix-sum based range optimization for arrays, and it belongs to the Coding & Algorithms domain. These problems are commonly asked to assess efficiency under large constraints, correctness in handling edge cases and invariants, and the ability to blend conceptual understanding with practical algorithm design, requiring both conceptual reasoning and applied implementation skills.

Solve four OA algorithm problems

Company: TikTok

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: hard

Interview Round: Technical Screen

Overview: This multi-part exercise evaluates algorithmic problem-solving across combinatorics and geometry (counting axis-aligned square subgrids), string reordering under adjacency constraints (minimum adjacent swaps to form a palindrome), deterministic grid-walk simulation with teleportation and cycle detection, and prefix-sum based range optimization for arrays, and it belongs to the Coding & Algorithms domain. These problems are commonly asked to assess efficiency under large constraints, correctness in handling edge cases and invariants, and the ability to blend conceptual understanding with practical algorithm design, requiring both conceptual reasoning and applied implementation skills.

Read the full TikTok Software Engineer interview experience this question came from

|Home/Coding & Algorithms/TikTok
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TikTok
Jan 22, 2026
hardSoftware EngineerTechnical ScreenCoding & Algorithms
10
0
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