Solve unique triplets summing to target

Quick Overview

Solve unique triplets summing to target evaluates algorithm design, data structures, correctness, complexity, edge cases, and implementation details in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.

Solve unique triplets summing to target

Company: NVIDIA

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Technical Screen

Implement a function that, given an integer array nums and an integer target T, returns all unique triplets [x, y, z] from nums such that x + y + z = T. Requirements: avoid duplicate triplets (enforce x <= y <= z within each triplet), return results in lexicographic order, and aim for O(n^ 2) time using sorting and a two-pointer strategy with O( 1) extra space beyond the output. Discuss edge cases (duplicates, all zeros, no solution, mixed signs, large n) and provide a concise set of test cases. Analyze time and space complexity.

Overview: Solve unique triplets summing to target evaluates algorithm design, data structures, correctness, complexity, edge cases, and implementation details in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.

NVIDIA logo
NVIDIA
Jul 15, 2025
mediumSoftware EngineerTechnical ScreenCoding & Algorithms
12
0

Solve unique triplets summing to target

Implement a function that, given an integer array nums and an integer target T, returns all unique triplets [x, y, z] from nums such that x + y + z = T. Requirements: avoid duplicate triplets (enforce x <= y <= z within each triplet), return results in lexicographic order, and aim for O(n^ 2) time using sorting and a two-pointer strategy with O(

  1. extra space beyond the output. Discuss edge cases (duplicates, all zeros, no solution, mixed signs, large n) and provide a concise set of test cases. Analyze time and space complexity.

Clarifying Questions to Ask Guidance

  • Clarify input sizes, value ranges, mutability, return format, and tie-breaking.
  • State the target time and space complexity before coding.
  • Call out edge cases such as empty inputs, duplicates, invalid values, overflow, and boundary sizes.

What a Strong Answer Covers Guidance

  • A clear algorithm with the right data structures and enough pseudocode or code-level detail to implement it.
  • A correctness argument that explains why the algorithm covers all required cases.
  • Time and space complexity, plus at least one alternative approach when relevant.
  • Focused tests for normal cases, edge cases, and failure modes.

Follow-up Questions Guidance

  • How would the approach change if the input were streaming or too large for memory?
  • What invariants would you assert in production code?
  • Which tests would catch off-by-one, duplicate, or tie-breaking bugs?