Leetcode #2659: Make Array Empty
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #2659 Make Array Empty 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
You are given an integer array nums containing distinct numbers, and you can perform the following operations until the array is empty: If the first element has the smallest value, remove it Otherwise, put the first element at the end of the array. Return an integer denoting the number of operations it takes to make nums empty.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Hard
- Premium: No
- Tags: Greedy, Binary Indexed Tree, Segment Tree, Array, Binary Search, Ordered Set, Sorting
Intuition
The problem structure suggests a monotonic decision, which makes binary search a natural fit.
By halving the search space each step, we reach the answer efficiently.
Approach
Search either directly on a sorted array or on the answer space using a check function.
Each check is fast, and the logarithmic search keeps the overall runtime low.
Steps:
- Define the search bounds.
- Check the mid point condition.
- Narrow the bounds until convergence.
Example
Input: nums = [3,4,-1]
Output: 5
Python Solution
class Solution:
def countOperationsToEmptyArray(self, nums: List[int]) -> int:
pos = {x: i for i, x in enumerate(nums)}
nums.sort()
sl = SortedList()
ans = pos[nums[0]] + 1
n = len(nums)
for k, (a, b) in enumerate(pairwise(nums)):
i, j = pos[a], pos[b]
d = j - i - sl.bisect(j) + sl.bisect(i)
ans += d + (n - k) * int(i > j)
sl.add(i)
return ans
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.