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Find all unique triplets summing to zero

NVIDIASoftware Engineer · Onsite

Last updated

This question evaluates array-based algorithm design, handling of duplicate results, and analysis of time and space complexity when producing unique triplets that sum to zero.

Problem

Given an integer array nums, return all unique triplets [nums[i], nums[j], nums[k]] such that:

  • i, j, and k are distinct indices (i != j != k), and
  • nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k] == 0.

The returned triplets must be unique (i.e., no duplicate triplets in the output). Triplets can be returned in any order.

Input

  • nums: an array of integers

Output

  • A list/array of unique triplets, each triplet containing three integers whose sum is zero

Constraints (typical interview bounds)

  • 0 <= nums.length <= 3000
  • -10^5 <= nums[i] <= 10^5

Example

  • Input: nums = [-1, 0, 1, 2, -1, -4]
  • Output: [[-1, -1, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]