leetcode 1095. Find in Mountain Array (hard)

LeetCode 1095 - Find in Mountain Array

In the world of coding challenges and competitive programming, finding the optimal solution to a problem can be as daunting as climbing a mountain. Fortunately, LeetCode provides a great platform to conquer these coding summits. In this blog post, we will tackle the intriguing problem titled "LeetCode 1095 - Find in Mountain Array." So, grab your gear, and let's embark on this coding adventure!

Introduction to the Main Topic

LeetCode 1095 is a challenging problem that requires us to find a target integer in a mountain array. A mountain array is an array that first increases, then decreases. To solve this problem, we will use a combination of binary search and recursion, making it a great exercise for those looking to strengthen their algorithm and data structure skills.

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have a basic understanding of Python and binary search algorithms. This will help you grasp the solution more easily. If you're not familiar with these concepts, a quick review might be in order.

The Main Concept

Let's break down the main concept of solving this problem. We will use a two-step approach:

1. Find the Peak: First, we need to find the peak of the mountain. The peak is the element that is greater than its neighbors. This can be done using binary search.

2. Search in Both Halves: Once we find the peak, we perform two binary searches: one on the left side of the peak and one on the right side of the peak. This helps us find the target element efficiently.

Step-by-Step Example

Let's walk through an example to illustrate the process:

Suppose we have the mountain array: [1, 2, 3, 4, 1], and our target is 3.

1. Find the Peak: Using binary search, we find that the peak is at index 3, which is 4.

2. Search in Both Halves:

• Left Half: We perform a binary search on the left half [1, 2, 3] and find that the target 3 is at index 2.
• Right Half: We perform a binary search on the right half [4, 1] and find that the target 3 is at index 0.

In both halves, we have successfully located the target element.

Output

After following the steps outlined above, we can efficiently find the target element in the mountain array. In our example, we found the target element 3 at indices 2 and 0.

Conclusion

LeetCode 1095 - Find in Mountain Array is a challenging problem that combines binary search and recursion to locate a target element in a mountain array. By understanding the two-step approach and practicing with different test cases, you can master this problem and enhance your problem-solving skills.

We hope this blog post has helped you get a grip on the LeetCode 1095 problem. Now it's your turn to take on the challenge and reach new coding heights. Happy coding!

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