Diameter of N-Ary Tree — LeetCode 1522 Python Solution

MediumLeetCode PremiumTreeDepth-First Search
Problem
#1522
Reading time
6 min

The problem

Given a root of an N-ary tree, you need to compute the length of the diameter of the tree. The diameter of an N-ary tree is the length of the longest path between any two nodes in the tree.

Example

Input
root = [1,null,3,2,4,null,5,6]
Output
3
Explanation
Diameter is shown in red color.

Python solution

Python
"""
# Definition for a Node.
class Node:
    def __init__(self, val=None, children=None):
        self.val = val
        self.children = children if children is not None else []
"""


class Solution:
    def diameter(self, root: 'Node') -> int:
        """
        :type root: 'Node'
        :rtype: int
        """

        def dfs(root):
            if root is None:
                return 0
            nonlocal ans
            m1 = m2 = 0
            for child in root.children:
                t = dfs(child)
                if t > m1:
                    m2, m1 = m1, t
                elif t > m2:
                    m2 = t
            ans = max(ans, m1 + m2)
            return 1 + m1

        ans = 0
        dfs(root)
        return ans

Complexity

MeasureComplexity
TimeO(V+E)
SpaceO(V) auxiliary

Pattern: Tree Traversal

Choose the order — preorder, inorder, postorder, level — and the problem solves itself. LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree is filed here because LeetCode tags it Tree, which is the vocabulary this hub collects.

The tree traversal guide has the Python template for the pattern and the 225 LeetCode problems that use it.

Related problems

Frequently asked questions

How hard is LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree?
LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree is rated Medium on LeetCode.
What is the time complexity of LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree?
The Python solution on this page runs in O(V+E).
What is the space complexity of LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree?
The Python solution on this page uses O(V) auxiliary space.
What topics does LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree cover?
LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree is tagged Tree and Depth-First Search on LeetCode.
Is LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree a premium problem?
Yes. LeetCode 1522. Diameter of N-Ary Tree is a LeetCode Premium problem, so the full statement and test cases require a paid LeetCode subscription.

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