Leetcode #785: Is Graph Bipartite?
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #785 Is Graph Bipartite? 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
There is an undirected graph with n nodes, where each node is numbered between 0 and n - 1. You are given a 2D array graph, where graph[u] is an array of nodes that node u is adjacent to.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Medium
- Premium: No
- Tags: Depth-First Search, Breadth-First Search, Union Find, Graph
Intuition
The data forms a graph, so we should explore nodes and edges systematically.
A traversal ensures we visit each node once while maintaining the needed state.
Approach
Build an adjacency list and traverse with BFS or DFS.
Aggregate results as you visit nodes.
Steps:
- Build the graph.
- Traverse with BFS/DFS.
- Accumulate the required output.
Example
Input: graph = [[1,2,3],[0,2],[0,1,3],[0,2]]
Output: false
Explanation: There is no way to partition the nodes into two independent sets such that every edge connects a node in one and a node in the other.
Python Solution
class Solution:
def isBipartite(self, graph: List[List[int]]) -> bool:
def dfs(a: int, c: int) -> bool:
color[a] = c
for b in graph[a]:
if color[b] == c or (color[b] == 0 and not dfs(b, -c)):
return False
return True
n = len(graph)
color = [0] * n
for i in range(n):
if color[i] == 0 and not dfs(i, 1):
return False
return True
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.