Leetcode #495: Teemo Attacking
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #495 Teemo Attacking 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
Our hero Teemo is attacking an enemy Ashe with poison attacks! When Teemo attacks Ashe, Ashe gets poisoned for a exactly duration seconds.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Easy
- Premium: No
- Tags: Array, Simulation
Intuition
The rules are explicit, so simulating the process step by step is safest.
Careful state updates prevent subtle bugs.
Approach
Translate the rules into state updates and apply them in order.
Track the final state or aggregate as required.
Steps:
- Translate rules into state updates.
- Iterate for each step.
- Return the final state.
Example
Input: timeSeries = [1,4], duration = 2
Output: 4
Explanation: Teemo's attacks on Ashe go as follows:
- At second 1, Teemo attacks, and Ashe is poisoned for seconds 1 and 2.
- At second 4, Teemo attacks, and Ashe is poisoned for seconds 4 and 5.
Ashe is poisoned for seconds 1, 2, 4, and 5, which is 4 seconds in total.
Python Solution
class Solution:
def findPoisonedDuration(self, timeSeries: List[int], duration: int) -> int:
ans = duration
for a, b in pairwise(timeSeries):
ans += min(duration, b - a)
return ans
Complexity
The time complexity is O(n). The space complexity is O(1) to O(n).
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.