[Solved] Suppose the binary tree nodes can have negative values and you want to find the diameter defined as the longest path in terms of sum of node values... Which approach best adapts to this variant? | Tree: Depth-First Search

Tree: Depth-First Search - Diameter of Binary Tree

Suppose the binary tree nodes can have negative values and you want to find the diameter defined as the longest path in terms of sum of node values (not edges). Which approach best adapts to this variant?

AUse a modified DFS that tracks max path sum including negative values

BUse the optimized recursion tracking diameter as sum of heights

CUse the brute force approach with height calculation

DUse iterative postorder traversal with stack to track max sum path

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Understand problem change
Diameter now defined by max sum path, including negative values, not just edge count.
Step 2: Identify suitable approach
Modified DFS that tracks max path sum (like max path sum problem) handles negative values correctly.
Step 3: Why others fail
Brute force and optimized approaches track heights or edge counts, not sums; iterative stack approach is complex for sums.
Final Answer:
Option A -> Option A
Quick Check:
Max sum path requires tracking sums, not heights [OK]

Quick Trick: Max sum path needs sum tracking DFS

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Using height-based diameter for sum variant
Ignoring negative values in path sums

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Candidates try to reuse height-based diameter code, missing sum-based path logic.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests ability to adapt diameter pattern to sum-based path variant

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Which approach best adapts to this variant?

Step 1: Understand problem change

Step 2: Identify suitable approach

Step 3: Why others fail

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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