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Nilesh Raut
Nilesh Raut

Posted on • Updated on • Originally published at nileshblog.tech

Inverting the Binary Magic: Making Sense of LeetCode 226

Inverting the Binary Magic: Making Sense of LeetCode 226
Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle, only to realize that the solution is right in front of you, but you just need to look at it from a different perspective? That's exactly what we're going to do today as we dive into the fascinating world of binary trees and LeetCode problem 226, also known as "Invert Binary Tree." It may sound complex, but we'll break it down step by step, and by the end of this blog post, you'll see how it's just like flipping a reflection in a mirror.
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Understanding the Challenge

Before we jump into solving the problem, let's first understand what LeetCode 226 is all about. In this coding challenge, we are given a binary tree, and our task is to invert it. But what does it mean to "invert" a binary tree?
Imagine you have a tree with branches spreading out in different directions. Inverting the tree is like flipping it over a vertical axis, swapping all the left and right subtrees. It's somewhat akin to turning an upside-down Christmas tree right side up. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

The Recursive Approach

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of solving this problem. One of the most elegant ways to approach this challenge is by using recursion. We can start at the root of the tree and recursively invert the left and right subtrees.
Here's a Python function that does just that:

def invertTree(root):
    if not root:
        return None
    # Swap the left and right subtrees
    root.left, root.right = invertTree(root.right), invertTree(root.left)
    return root

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This function checks if the current node is None (i.e., a leaf node). If it's not None, it swaps the left and right subtrees using a temporary variable and recursively calls itself on the left and right subtrees.
Visualizing the Magic
To truly grasp the magic of inverting a binary tree, let's visualize it. Imagine you have a tree like this:

     1
    / \
   2   3
  / \
 4   5
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After applying our invertTree function, the tree becomes:

`     1
    / \
   3   2
      / \
     5   4`
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Notice how all the left and right subtrees have been swapped?
Time Complexity Analysis
One important aspect of solving coding challenges is understanding the efficiency of your solution. In this case, our recursive approach has a time complexity of O(n), where 'n' is the number of nodes in the binary tree. This is because we visit each node once.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LeetCode 226, the "Invert Binary Tree" problem, challenges us to think differently and approach binary trees from a new angle. By using recursion, we can elegantly solve this problem and gain a deeper understanding of binary tree structures.
So, the next time you encounter a coding challenge or a puzzle, remember that sometimes, all it takes is a change in perspective to find the solution. Happy coding!
If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with your fellow coders. And if you have any questions or want to explore more coding challenges, let us know in the comments below. We're here to help!

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