Two Non Repeating Elements in Array Using XOR in DSA Typescript - Time & Space Complexity

Time Complexity: Two Non Repeating Elements in Array Using XOR

O(n)

Understanding Time Complexity

We want to understand how fast the XOR method finds two unique numbers in an array where all others repeat.

How does the time needed grow as the array gets bigger?

Scenario Under Consideration

Analyze the time complexity of the following code snippet.

function findTwoNonRepeating(arr: number[]): [number, number] {
  let xor = 0;
  for (const num of arr) {
    xor ^= num;
  }
  let setBit = xor & -xor;
  let x = 0, y = 0;
  for (const num of arr) {
    if ((num & setBit) !== 0) x ^= num;
    else y ^= num;
  }
  return [x, y];
}
    

This code finds two numbers that appear only once in an array where every other number appears twice, using XOR operations.

Identify Repeating Operations

Identify the loops, recursion, array traversals that repeat.

• Primary operation: Two separate loops over the array.
• How many times: Each loop runs once over all elements, so twice in total.

How Execution Grows With Input

As the array size grows, the number of operations grows roughly twice the size of the array.

Input Size (n)	Approx. Operations
10	About 20 XOR checks
100	About 200 XOR checks
1000	About 2000 XOR checks

Pattern observation: Operations grow linearly with input size, doubling because of two passes.

Final Time Complexity

Time Complexity: O(n)

This means the time to find the two unique numbers grows directly in proportion to the array size.

Common Mistake

[X] Wrong: "Because there are two loops, the time complexity is O(n²)."

[OK] Correct: The loops run one after another, not nested, so their times add up, not multiply.

Interview Connect

Understanding this XOR approach shows you can solve problems efficiently without extra space, a skill valued in interviews.

Self-Check

"What if the array had three non-repeating elements instead of two? How would the time complexity change?"

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using XOR operation to find two non-repeating elements in an array?

easy

A. To sort the array in ascending order

B. To count the frequency of each element

C. To cancel out all repeating elements and isolate the unique ones

D. To reverse the array elements

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand XOR properties

   XOR of two same numbers is 0, and XOR with 0 is the number itself.

2. Step 2: Apply XOR on array elements

   XORing all elements cancels out repeating ones, leaving XOR of two unique elements.

3. Final Answer:

   To cancel out all repeating elements and isolate the unique ones -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   XOR cancels duplicates = isolate unique elements [OK]

Hint: XOR cancels pairs, leaving unique elements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking XOR sorts the array
• Using XOR to count frequencies
• Assuming XOR reverses elements

2. Which of the following TypeScript code snippets correctly initializes the XOR variable to start finding two unique elements?

easy

A. let xor = 1;

B. let xor = 0;

C. let xor = -1;

D. let xor = null;

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify initial XOR value

   XOR with 0 returns the number itself, so start with 0.

2. Step 2: Confirm initialization

   Initializing xor as 0 allows proper XOR accumulation over array elements.

3. Final Answer:

   let xor = 0; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Start XOR with 0 for correct accumulation [OK]

Hint: Initialize XOR with 0 to accumulate correctly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting XOR with 1 changes results
• Using null or undefined causes errors
• Starting XOR with -1 gives wrong output

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

const arr = [2, 3, 7, 9, 2, 3];
let xor = 0;
for (const num of arr) {
  xor ^= num;
}
console.log(xor);

medium

A. 0

B. 9

C. 7

D. 14

Solution

1. Step 1: XOR all elements in array

   Calculate XOR stepwise: 0^2=2, 2^3=1, 1^7=6, 6^9=15, 15^2=13, 13^3=14.

2. Step 2: Final XOR value

   The final XOR after all elements is 14.

3. Final Answer:

   14 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   XOR all elements = 14 [OK]

Hint: XOR all elements stepwise to find final value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Stopping XOR early
• Incorrect XOR calculation order
• Confusing XOR with addition

4. Identify the error in this TypeScript code snippet that tries to find two unique elements using XOR:

const arr = [4, 1, 2, 1, 2, 5];
let xor = 0;
for (let i = 0; i <= arr.length; i++) {
  xor ^= arr[i];
}
console.log(xor);

medium

A. Loop condition should be i < arr.length, not i <= arr.length

B. XOR operator should be & instead of ^

C. Variable xor should be initialized to 1

D. Array elements should be converted to strings before XOR

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop boundary

   Loop uses i <= arr.length which causes out-of-bounds access at last iteration.

2. Step 2: Correct loop condition

   Change to i < arr.length to avoid accessing undefined element.

3. Final Answer:

   Loop condition should be i < arr.length, not i <= arr.length -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Loop index must be less than array length [OK]

Hint: Use i < length to avoid out-of-bounds errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong loop boundary causing runtime error
• Confusing XOR with AND operator
• Initializing xor incorrectly

5. Given the array [6, 1, 3, 6, 1, 5], which two numbers are the non-repeating elements found using XOR method?

hard

A. [3, 5]

B. [6, 1]

C. [1, 3]

D. [5, 6]

Solution

1. Step 1: XOR all elements

   6^1=7, 7^3=4, 4^6=2, 2^1=3, 3^5=6 (final XOR = 6).

2. Step 2: Find rightmost set bit of XOR

   Rightmost set bit of 6 (binary 110) is 2 (binary 010).

3. Step 3: Divide elements into two groups and XOR separately

   Group 1 (bit set): 6, 3, 6 -> XOR = 3; Group 2 (bit not set): 1, 1, 5 -> XOR = 5.

4. Final Answer:

   [3, 5] -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Two unique elements = [3, 5] [OK]

Hint: Use rightmost set bit to separate and XOR groups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not separating elements by set bit
• Mixing order of unique elements
• Incorrect XOR calculations