Merge Triplets
Detailed guide and Python implementation for the 'Merge Triplets' problem.
1. Concept Overview
The 'Merge Triplets' problem is a key challenge in the Greedy section.
This implementation focuses on easy-level logic in Python.
We prioritize technical accuracy and code readability in our provided solutions.
2. Real-World Applications
3. Visual Intuition
Visualizing the logic flow for Merge Triplets.
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Thinking
1. Understand the problem
Read the problem statement for Merge Triplets carefully.
2. Formulate brute force
Draft a simple iterative solution.
3. Identify inefficiency
Look for redundant calculations.
4. Optimize search path
Use hashing or sorting to speed up the process.
5. Final Implementation
Clean up the code for production standards.
Problem Statement
A triplet is an array of three integers. You are given a 2D integer array triplets, where triplets[i] = [ai, bi, ci] describes the ith triplet. You are also given an integer array target = [x, y, z] that describes the triplet you want to obtain. Return True if it is possible to obtain the target triplet [x, y, z] as an element of triplets, or False otherwise.
Write a function mergeTriplets(triplets: List[List[int]], target: List[int]) -> bool.
- •1 <= len(triplets) <= 10^5
- •triplets[i].length == target.length == 3
- •1 <= ai, bi, ci, x, y, z <= 1000
Examples
triplets = [[2,5,3],[1,8,4],[1,7,5]], target = [2,7,5]
True
Merge [2,5,3] and [1,7,5] to get [max(2,1), max(5,7), max(3,5)] = [2,7,5].
triplets = [[3,4,5],[4,5,6]], target = [3,2,5]
False
Cannot get index 1 value of 2.
Need a Hint?
Edge Cases to Watch
- Empty input structures
- Single element inputs
- Large numerical bounds
Ready to Solve?
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Interview Insights & Variations
Complexity Analysis Breakdown
Why Time: Directly evaluates all possibilities.
Why Space: Uses standard local memory.
Why Time: Optimized paths reduce total operations.
Why Space: May trade memory for speed.
Optimized Solution Python Code
Optimized Solution Python Code
def merge_triplets_opt(triplets, target):
good = set()
for t in triplets:
if t[0] > target[0] or t[1] > target[1] or t[2] > target[2]: continue
for i, v in enumerate(t):
if v == target[i]: good.add(i)
return len(good) == 3Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
def merge_triplets_brute(triplets, target):
def merge(t1, t2): return [max(t1[0],t2[0]), max(t1[1],t2[1]), max(t1[2],t2[2])]
res = [0, 0, 0]
for t in triplets:
if t[0] <= target[0] and t[1] <= target[1] and t[2] <= target[2]:
res = merge(res, t)
return res == targetAlgorithm Pattern Checklist
When dealing with Greedy data patterns.
Core Prerequisites
Revision Key Notes
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
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