Description
https://leetcode.com/problems/4sum/description/
Given an array nums
of n integers and an integer target
, are there elements a, b, c, and d in nums
such that a + b + c + d = target
? Find all unique quadruplets in the array which gives the sum of target
.
Note:
The solution set must not contain duplicate quadruplets.
Example:
Given array nums = [1, 0, -1, 0, -2, 2], and target = 0. A solution set is: [ [-1, 0, 0, 1], [-2, -1, 1, 2], [-2, 0, 0, 2] ]
Explanation
For 4 sum, we need to find 3 other numbers add with nums[i] to equal to the target.
Then it becomes the 3 sum problem.
For 3 sum, we need to find 2 other numbers add with nums[j] to equal to the target – nums[i].
Then it becomes the 2 sum problem.
We sorted the input array. Then we can use two pointers techniques to solve.
Video Tutorial
Java Solution
class Solution { public List<List<Integer>> fourSum(int[] nums, int target) { List<List<Integer>> result = new ArrayList<>(); Arrays.sort(nums); for (int i = 0; i < nums.length - 3; i++) { if (i != 0 && nums[i] == nums[i - 1]) { continue; } for (int j = i + 1; j < nums.length - 2; j++) { if (j != i + 1 && nums[j] == nums[j - 1]) { continue; } int left = j + 1; int right = nums.length - 1; while (left < right) { int sum = nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[left] + nums[right]; if (sum < target) { left++; } else if (sum > target) { right--; } else { List<Integer> quadruplet = new ArrayList<>(); quadruplet.add(nums[i]); quadruplet.add(nums[j]); quadruplet.add(nums[left]); quadruplet.add(nums[right]); result.add(quadruplet); left++; right--; while (left < right && nums[left] == nums[left - 1]) { left++; } while (left < right && nums[right] == nums[right + 1]) { right--; } } } } } return result; // Time Complexity: O(n^3) // Space Complexity: O(n^3) } }