Leetcode #2525: Categorize Box According to Criteria
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #2525 Categorize Box According to Criteria in Python and focus on the core idea that makes the solution efficient.
You will see the intuition, the step-by-step method, and a clean Python implementation you can use in interviews.
Problem Statement
Given four integers length, width, height, and mass, representing the dimensions and mass of a box, respectively, return a string representing the category of the box. The box is "Bulky" if: Any of the dimensions of the box is greater or equal to 104.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Easy
- Premium: No
- Tags: Math
Intuition
There is a mathematical invariant or formula that directly leads to the result.
Using math avoids unnecessary loops and reduces complexity.
Approach
Derive the formula or update rule, then compute the answer directly.
Handle edge cases like overflow or zero carefully.
Steps:
- Identify the math relationship.
- Compute the result with a loop or formula.
- Handle edge cases.
Example
Input: length = 1000, width = 35, height = 700, mass = 300
Output: "Heavy"
Explanation:
None of the dimensions of the box is greater or equal to 104.
Its volume = 24500000 <= 109. So it cannot be categorized as "Bulky".
However mass >= 100, so the box is "Heavy".
Since the box is not "Bulky" but "Heavy", we return "Heavy".
Python Solution
class Solution:
def categorizeBox(self, length: int, width: int, height: int, mass: int) -> str:
v = length * width * height
bulky = int(any(x >= 10000 for x in (length, width, height)) or v >= 10**9)
heavy = int(mass >= 100)
i = heavy << 1 | bulky
d = ['Neither', 'Bulky', 'Heavy', 'Both']
return d[i]
Complexity
The time complexity is , and the space complexity is . The space complexity is .
Edge Cases and Pitfalls
Watch for boundary values, empty inputs, and duplicate values where applicable. If the problem involves ordering or constraints, confirm the invariant is preserved at every step.
Summary
This Python solution focuses on the essential structure of the problem and keeps the implementation interview-friendly while meeting the constraints.