Three Sum Problem All Unique Triplets in DSA Javascript - Practice Problems & Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of Three Sum Unique Triplets Function

What is the output of the following JavaScript function when called with nums = [-1, 0, 1, 2, -1, -4]?

DSA Javascript

function threeSum(nums) {
  nums.sort((a, b) => a - b);
  const result = [];
  for (let i = 0; i < nums.length - 2; i++) {
    if (i > 0 && nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue;
    let left = i + 1;
    let right = nums.length - 1;
    while (left < right) {
      const sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right];
      if (sum === 0) {
        result.push([nums[i], nums[left], nums[right]]);
        while (left < right && nums[left] === nums[left + 1]) left++;
        while (left < right && nums[right] === nums[right - 1]) right--;
        left++;
        right--;
      } else if (sum < 0) {
        left++;
      } else {
        right--;
      }
    }
  }
  return result;
}

console.log(threeSum([-1, 0, 1, 2, -1, -4]));

A [[-1, -1, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]

B [[-1, 0, 1], [0, 1, -1]]

C [[-4, 2, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]

D [[0, 0, 0], [-1, -1, 2]]

💡 Hint

Sort the array first and use two pointers to find pairs that sum with nums[i] to zero.

The function sorts the array and uses a fixed pointer with two moving pointers to find unique triplets that sum to zero. It skips duplicates to ensure uniqueness.

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding the Role of Sorting in Three Sum

Why is sorting the input array important in the Three Sum problem solution?

A It helps to skip duplicate elements easily and use two pointers efficiently.

B It makes the array elements all positive, simplifying the sum calculation.

C It reduces the array size by removing duplicates before processing.

D It allows the use of binary search to find the third element in O(1) time.

💡 Hint

Think about how duplicates and two pointers work after sorting.

Sorting allows skipping duplicates by comparing adjacent elements and enables the two-pointer technique to find pairs summing to a target efficiently.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the Error in Three Sum Implementation

What error will the following code produce when run with nums = [-2,0,0,2,2]? function threeSum(nums) { nums.sort((a, b) => a - b); const result = []; for (let i = 0; i < nums.length - 2; i++) { let left = i + 1; let right = nums.length - 1; while (left < right) { const sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right]; if (sum === 0) { result.push([nums[i], nums[left], nums[right]]); left++; right--; } else if (sum < 0) { left++; } else { right--; } } } return result; } console.log(threeSum([-2,0,0,2,2]));

A The function returns an empty array because the loop condition is wrong.

B SyntaxError due to missing semicolon after result.push line.

C TypeError because nums is not defined.

D The output contains duplicate triplets because duplicates are not skipped.

💡 Hint

Check how duplicates are handled in the code.

The code does not skip duplicate elements for i, left, or right pointers, so duplicate triplets appear in the result.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Output of Three Sum with No Triplets

What is the output of the threeSum function when called with nums = [1, 2, -2, -1]?

DSA Javascript

function threeSum(nums) {
  nums.sort((a, b) => a - b);
  const result = [];
  for (let i = 0; i < nums.length - 2; i++) {
    if (i > 0 && nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue;
    let left = i + 1;
    let right = nums.length - 1;
    while (left < right) {
      const sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right];
      if (sum === 0) {
        result.push([nums[i], nums[left], nums[right]]);
        while (left < right && nums[left] === nums[left + 1]) left++;
        while (left < right && nums[right] === nums[right - 1]) right--;
        left++;
        right--;
      } else if (sum < 0) {
        left++;
      } else {
        right--;
      }
    }
  }
  return result;
}

console.log(threeSum([1, 2, -2, -1]));

A [[1, -1, 0]]

B []

C [[-2, -1, 3]]

D [[1, 2, -3]]

💡 Hint

Check if any three numbers sum to zero.

No three numbers in the array sum to zero, so the result is an empty array.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Time Complexity of Three Sum Algorithm

What is the time complexity of the standard Three Sum algorithm that sorts the array and uses two pointers to find triplets?

A O(n^3) because it checks all triplets.

B O(n log n) because sorting dominates the complexity.

C O(n^2) because sorting is O(n log n) and two pointers run in O(n^2).

D O(n) because two pointers scan the array once.

💡 Hint

Consider sorting and nested loops with two pointers.

Sorting takes O(n log n). The main loop runs O(n) times, and inside it, two pointers scan the array in O(n) total, resulting in O(n^2) overall.

Practice

1. What is the main goal of the Three Sum Problem in algorithms?

easy

A. Find all unique triplets in an array that sum to zero

B. Sort the array in ascending order

C. Find the maximum sum of any three elements

D. Count the number of pairs that sum to zero

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the problem statement

   The Three Sum Problem asks to find all unique sets of three numbers in an array whose sum is zero.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other sum problems

   Unlike sorting or pair sums, this problem specifically targets triplets summing to zero without duplicates.

3. Final Answer:

   Find all unique triplets in an array that sum to zero -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Three Sum Problem = Find unique triplets summing to zero [OK]

Hint: Look for three numbers adding to zero without repeats [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing with pair sum problems
• Thinking it requires sorting only
• Looking for max sum instead of zero sum

2. Which of the following is the correct way to start sorting an array nums in JavaScript before solving the Three Sum Problem?

easy

A. nums.sort()

B. nums.sorted()

C. nums.sort((a, b) => b - a)

D. nums.sort((a, b) => a - b)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand JavaScript sort behavior

   By default, sort() converts elements to strings and sorts lexicographically, which is incorrect for numbers.

2. Step 2: Use numeric comparator for ascending order

   Using nums.sort((a, b) => a - b) sorts numbers correctly in ascending order, which is needed for the algorithm.

3. Final Answer:

   nums.sort((a, b) => a - b) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Numeric ascending sort = nums.sort((a, b) => a - b) [OK]

Hint: Use comparator (a, b) => a - b for numeric ascending sort [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using default sort() without comparator
• Using descending sort when ascending needed
• Using non-existent method sorted()

3. What will be the output of the following code snippet?

function threeSum(nums) {
  nums.sort((a, b) => a - b);
  const result = [];
  for (let i = 0; i < nums.length - 2; i++) {
    if (i > 0 && nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue;
    let left = i + 1, right = nums.length - 1;
    while (left < right) {
      const sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right];
      if (sum === 0) {
        result.push([nums[i], nums[left], nums[right]]);
        while (nums[left] === nums[left + 1]) left++;
        while (nums[right] === nums[right - 1]) right--;
        left++;
        right--;
      } else if (sum < 0) {
        left++;
      } else {
        right--;
      }
    }
  }
  return result;
}

console.log(threeSum([-1,0,1,2,-1,-4]));

medium

A. [[-1, 0, 1], [0, 1, 2]]

B. [[-1, -1, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]

C. [[-4, 2, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]

D. [[0, 0, 0]]

Solution

1. Step 1: Sort the array

   Sorted array is [-4, -1, -1, 0, 1, 2].

2. Step 2: Find unique triplets summing to zero

   Triplets found are [-1, -1, 2] and [-1, 0, 1]. These are pushed to result.

3. Final Answer:

   [[-1, -1, 2], [-1, 0, 1]] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Unique triplets summing zero = [[-1,-1,2],[-1,0,1]] [OK]

Hint: Sort array, use two pointers to find zero sum triplets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not sorting before two-pointer approach
• Including duplicate triplets
• Incorrect pointer movement logic

4. Identify the bug in this Three Sum implementation snippet:

function threeSum(nums) {
  nums.sort((a, b) => a - b);
  const result = [];
  for (let i = 0; i < nums.length - 2; i++) {
    if (nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue;
    let left = i + 1, right = nums.length - 1;
    while (left < right) {
      const sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right];
      if (sum === 0) {
        result.push([nums[i], nums[left], nums[right]]);
        while (nums[left] === nums[left + 1]) left++;
        while (nums[right] === nums[right - 1]) right--;
        left++;
        right--;
      } else if (sum < 0) {
        left++;
      } else {
        right--;
      }
    }
  }
  return result;
}

medium

A. The duplicate check for nums[i] should skip when i > 0

B. The sorting comparator is incorrect

C. The pointers left and right are not updated

D. The result array is not initialized

Solution

1. Step 1: Check duplicate skipping condition

   The condition if (nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue; runs even when i = 0, causing incorrect skipping.

2. Step 2: Correct condition to skip duplicates only if i > 0

   It should be if (i > 0 && nums[i] === nums[i - 1]) continue; to avoid skipping first element.

3. Final Answer:

   The duplicate check for nums[i] should skip when i > 0 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Duplicate skip needs i > 0 check [OK]

Hint: Check index bounds when skipping duplicates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping duplicates without index check
• Wrong sorting comparator
• Forgetting to update pointers

5. Given the array nums = [3, 0, -2, -1, 1, 2], which of the following is the correct set of unique triplets that sum to zero?

hard

A. [[-2, 2, 3], [-1, 0, 1]]

B. [[-2, -1, 3], [-1, 1, 2]]

C. [[-2, -1, 3], [-2, 0, 2], [-1, 0, 1]]

D. [[0, 0, 0], [-1, 1, 0]]

Solution

1. Step 1: Sort the array

   Sorted array is [-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3].

2. Step 2: Find all unique triplets summing to zero

   Triplets are [-2, -1, 3], [-2, 0, 2], and [-1, 0, 1].

3. Final Answer:

   [[-2, -1, 3], [-2, 0, 2], [-1, 0, 1]] -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Sorted + two pointers find unique zero sum triplets [OK]

Hint: Sort and use two pointers to find all zero sum triplets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing some triplets
• Including duplicates
• Incorrect triplet sums