Bird
Raised Fist0

What is the time complexity of the optimal greedy algorithm that sorts balloons by their end coordinate and then iterates once to find the minimum number of arrows?

medium🪤 Complexity Trap Q13 of Q15
Intervals - Minimum Number of Arrows to Burst Balloons
What is the time complexity of the optimal greedy algorithm that sorts balloons by their end coordinate and then iterates once to find the minimum number of arrows?
AO(n)
BO(n log n)
CO(n^2)
DO(log n)
Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify sorting cost

    Sorting n intervals by end coordinate takes O(n log n) time.

  2. Step 2: Identify iteration cost

    Single pass through sorted intervals is O(n).

  3. Final Answer:

    Option B -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Dominant cost is sorting, so total is O(n log n) [OK]
Quick Trick: Sorting dominates; iteration is linear [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Assuming linear time because of single pass
  • Confusing with brute force O(n^2)
  • Ignoring sorting cost
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Candidates often overlook sorting cost and pick O(n) because iteration is linear.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests understanding of algorithmic complexity beyond just iteration loops.
Master "Minimum Number of Arrows to Burst Balloons" in Intervals

3 interactive learning modes - each teaches the same concept differently

Try ItSolutionTrace

Want More Practice?

15+ quiz questions · All difficulty levels · Free

Free Signup - Practice All Questions
More Intervals Quizzes
Count of Intervals Containing Each Point - Count of Intervals Containing Each Point - Quiz 4medium Data Stream as Disjoint Intervals - Data Stream as Disjoint Intervals - Quiz 12easy Employee Free Time - Employee Free Time - Quiz 11easy Interval List Intersections - Interval List Intersections - Quiz 8hard Interval List Intersections - Interval List Intersections - Quiz 14medium Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Quiz 10hard Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Quiz 14medium Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Meeting Rooms II (Minimum Conference Rooms) - Quiz 2easy Remove Covered Intervals - Remove Covered Intervals - Quiz 8hard Remove Covered Intervals - Remove Covered Intervals - Quiz 9hard