Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix — LeetCode 329 Python Solution

HardDepth-First SearchBreadth-First SearchGraphTopological SortMemoizationArrayDynamic ProgrammingMatrix
Problem
#329
Reading time
2 min

The problem

Given an m x n integers matrix, return the length of the longest increasing path in matrix. From each cell, you can either move in four directions: left, right, up, or down.

Example

Input
matrix = [[9,9,4],[6,6,8],[2,1,1]]
Output
4
Explanation
The longest increasing path is [1, 2, 6, 9].

Python solution

Python
class Solution:
    def longestIncreasingPath(self, matrix: List[List[int]]) -> int:
        @cache
        def dfs(i: int, j: int) -> int:
            ans = 0
            for a, b in pairwise((-1, 0, 1, 0, -1)):
                x, y = i + a, j + b
                if 0 <= x < m and 0 <= y < n and matrix[x][y] > matrix[i][j]:
                    ans = max(ans, dfs(x, y))
            return ans + 1

        m, n = len(matrix), len(matrix[0])
        return max(dfs(i, j) for i in range(m) for j in range(n))

Complexity

MeasureComplexity
TimeO(m \times n)
SpaceO(m \times n) auxiliary

Pattern: Topological Sort

Order a set of tasks so that every dependency comes before the thing that needs it. LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix is filed here because LeetCode tags it Topological Sort, which is the vocabulary this hub collects.

The topological sort guide has the Python template for the pattern and the 32 LeetCode problems that use it.

Related problems

On a study list

This problem is on NeetCode 150.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix?
LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix is rated Hard on LeetCode.
What is the time complexity of LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix?
The Python solution on this page runs in O(m \times n).
What is the space complexity of LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix?
The Python solution on this page uses O(m \times n) auxiliary space.
What topics does LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix cover?
LeetCode 329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix is tagged Depth-First Search, Breadth-First Search, Graph, Topological Sort, Memoization, Array, Dynamic Programming and Matrix on LeetCode.

Stuck on problems like this in a live interview?

Stealth Interview is a desktop app for macOS and Windows. It reads the problem off your screen and returns a working solution with a step-by-step explanation and its time and space complexity — invisible to screen sharing.

Get Stealth Interview