Set Matrix Zeroes In Place in DSA Go - Practice Problems & Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of Set Matrix Zeroes In Place after one zero found

What is the state of the matrix after running the Set Matrix Zeroes In Place algorithm on this input?

DSA Go

matrix := [][]int{
  {1, 2, 3},
  {4, 0, 6},
  {7, 8, 9},
}
// After calling setZeroes(matrix)

A [[1,0,3],[0,0,0],[7,0,9]]

B [[1,0,3],[0,0,0],[0,0,0]]

C [[1,0,3],[4,0,6],[7,0,9]]

D [[1,2,3],[4,0,6],[7,8,9]]

💡 Hint

Remember that all elements in the row and column of any zero element become zero.

The zero at position (1,1) causes the entire row 1 and column 1 to be set to zero. So matrix[1][*] and matrix[*][1] become zero.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of Set Matrix Zeroes In Place with multiple zeros

What is the matrix after applying Set Matrix Zeroes In Place on this input?

DSA Go

matrix := [][]int{
  {0, 2, 3},
  {4, 5, 6},
  {7, 8, 0},
}
// After calling setZeroes(matrix)

A [[0,0,0],[0,0,0],[0,0,0]]

B [[0,2,0],[4,5,6],[0,8,0]]

C [[0,0,0],[4,5,0],[0,0,0]]

D [[0,0,0],[0,5,0],[0,0,0]]

💡 Hint

Zeros in first row and last column affect entire rows and columns.

Zeros at (0,0) and (2,2) cause rows 0 and 2 and columns 0 and 2 to be zeroed. So matrix[0][*], matrix[2][*], matrix[*][0], matrix[*][2] become zero.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the error in this Set Matrix Zeroes In Place implementation

What error will this Go code cause when run on a matrix with zeros?

DSA Go

func setZeroes(matrix [][]int) {
  rows := len(matrix)
  cols := len(matrix[0])
  for i := 0; i < rows; i++ {
    for j := 0; j < cols; j++ {
      if matrix[i][j] == 0 {
        for k := 0; k < rows; k++ {
          matrix[k][j] = 0
        }
        for l := 0; l < cols; l++ {
          matrix[i][l] = 0
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

A Index out of range error

B Correct output with no error

C Incorrect output due to modifying matrix while iterating

D Compilation error due to missing return

💡 Hint

Modifying matrix elements while scanning causes repeated zeroing.

Setting zeros immediately causes new zeros to appear during iteration, leading to repeated zeroing and incorrect results.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Space complexity of Set Matrix Zeroes In Place optimized approach

What is the space complexity of the optimal in-place Set Matrix Zeroes algorithm that uses the first row and column as markers?

A O(m * n) due to copying matrix

B O(1) constant extra space

C O(m + n) where m and n are matrix dimensions

D O(min(m, n)) for storing zero positions

💡 Hint

The algorithm uses matrix itself to store zero info.

By using first row and column as markers, no extra arrays are needed, so space is constant.

🚀 Application

expert

Number of zeroed elements after Set Matrix Zeroes In Place

Given this matrix, how many elements will be zero after applying Set Matrix Zeroes In Place?

DSA Go

matrix := [][]int{
  {1, 2, 3, 4},
  {5, 0, 7, 8},
  {9, 10, 11, 12},
  {0, 14, 15, 16},
}
// After calling setZeroes(matrix)

A 12

B 11

C 8

D 9

💡 Hint

Count all elements in rows and columns containing zeros, avoid double counting.

Zeros at (1,1) and (3,0) cause rows 1 and 3 and columns 0 and 1 to be zeroed. Counting zeroed elements: row1(4), row3(4), col0(2 new), col1(2 new), total 12 unique zeroed elements.

Practice

1. What is the main goal of the Set Matrix Zeroes In Place problem?

easy

A. Modify the matrix so that if an element is 0, its entire row and column become 0

B. Find the sum of all elements in the matrix

C. Sort each row of the matrix in ascending order

D. Transpose the matrix without changing its elements

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the problem requirement

   The problem asks to change the matrix so that any row or column containing a zero should be set entirely to zero.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct operation

   Only Modify the matrix so that if an element is 0, its entire row and column become 0 describes this exact operation, modifying rows and columns based on zero elements.

3. Final Answer:

   Modify the matrix so that if an element is 0, its entire row and column become 0 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Set rows and columns to zero = Modify matrix [OK]

Hint: Remember: zero means zero out whole row and column [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing with matrix transpose
• Trying to sum elements instead of modifying
• Sorting rows instead of zeroing

2. Which of the following Go code snippets correctly declares a fixed-size 2D array of integers?

easy

A. matrix := [][]int{{1, 2}, {3, 4}}

B. matrix := [2][2]int{{1, 2}, {3, 4}}

C. matrix := [][]int{1, 2, 3, 4}

D. matrix := [2]int{1, 2, 3, 4}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Go 2D array declaration

   In Go, fixed-size 2D arrays use syntax like [rows][cols]type, so [2][2]int is a 2x2 matrix.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   matrix := [2][2]int{{1, 2}, {3, 4}} correctly declares a 2x2 integer array with values. matrix := [][]int{{1, 2}, {3, 4}} is a slice of slices (dynamic), not a fixed-size array. matrix := [][]int{1, 2, 3, 4} and D are invalid for 2D matrix.

3. Final Answer:

   matrix := [2][2]int{{1, 2}, {3, 4}} -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed 2D array syntax = [2][2]int [OK]

Hint: Use [rows][cols]type for fixed 2D arrays in Go [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using slice syntax when fixed array needed
• Incorrect nesting of braces
• Declaring 1D array instead of 2D

3. What will be the matrix after running the following Go code snippet?

matrix := [][]int{
  {1, 2, 3},
  {4, 0, 6},
  {7, 8, 9},
}
// After applying Set Matrix Zeroes In Place logic
// (zero out rows and columns containing zero)

medium

A. [[1, 0, 3], [0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0]]

B. [[1, 2, 3], [0, 0, 0], [7, 0, 9]]

C. [[1, 0, 3], [0, 0, 0], [7, 0, 9]]

D. [[0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0]]

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify zero positions

   Zero is at matrix[1][1]. So row 1 and column 1 must be zeroed.

2. Step 2: Apply zeroing

   Row 1 becomes [0,0,0]. Column 1 elements at rows 0 and 2 become 0. So matrix[0][1] and matrix[2][1] are zero.

3. Final Answer:

   [[1, 0, 3], [0, 0, 0], [7, 0, 9]] -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Zero row and column applied correctly = [[1,0,3],[0,0,0],[7,0,9]] [OK]

Hint: Zero entire row and column for each zero found [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Zeroing entire matrix
• Missing zero in column 1 for rows 0 and 2
• Zeroing wrong rows or columns

4. Consider this Go function snippet for setting matrix zeroes:

func setZeroes(matrix [][]int) {
  for i := 0; i < len(matrix); i++ {
    for j := 0; j < len(matrix[0]); j++ {
      if matrix[i][j] == 0 {
        for k := 0; k < len(matrix); k++ {
          matrix[k][j] = 0
        }
        for l := 0; l < len(matrix[0]); l++ {
          matrix[i][l] = 0
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

What is the main problem with this code?

medium

A. It only zeros rows but not columns

B. It uses wrong loop ranges for rows and columns

C. It does not check for zero elements at all

D. It modifies the matrix while iterating, causing incorrect zeroing

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze matrix modification during iteration

   The code sets zeros immediately when it finds a zero, changing matrix elements during iteration.

2. Step 2: Understand side effects

   This causes new zeros to appear and triggers more zeroing incorrectly, leading to wrong final matrix.

3. Final Answer:

   It modifies the matrix while iterating, causing incorrect zeroing -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   In-place modification during scan = incorrect zeroing [OK]

Hint: Mark zeros first, then update matrix to avoid side effects [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Changing matrix while scanning
• Not using extra storage or flags
• Assuming immediate zeroing is safe

5. You want to set matrix zeroes in place with O(1) extra space. Which approach below correctly achieves this in Go?

hard

A. Use first row and first column as markers to track zero rows and columns, then update matrix accordingly

B. Create a separate boolean matrix to mark zero rows and columns, then update original matrix

C. Copy matrix to a new matrix and update zeros there to avoid modifying original during iteration

D. Use recursion to zero rows and columns when zero found

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand space constraints

   O(1) extra space means no additional matrix or large data structures allowed.

2. Step 2: Use first row and column as markers

   Mark zeros in first row and column to remember which rows and columns to zero later, then update matrix in place.

3. Step 3: Avoid extra space and recursion

   Options A and B use extra space, D uses recursion unnecessarily.

4. Final Answer:

   Use first row and first column as markers to track zero rows and columns, then update matrix accordingly -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   In-place markers = O(1) space zeroing [OK]

Hint: Use matrix edges as flags to save space [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using extra arrays violating space constraint
• Modifying matrix during iteration without markers
• Overcomplicating with recursion