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What does the function return when called on a tree with a single node (value 1) and both p and q are that node?

medium🧾 Code Trace Q4 of Q15
Tree: Depth-First Search - Lowest Common Ancestor of Binary Tree
Consider the recursive DFS approach to find LCA. What does the function return when called on a tree with a single node (value 1) and both p and q are that node? Code snippet: ```python def lowestCommonAncestor(root, p, q): if not root: return None if root == p or root == q: return root left = lowestCommonAncestor(root.left, p, q) right = lowestCommonAncestor(root.right, p, q) if left and right: return root return left if left else right ```
ANone
BEither p or q, whichever is found first
CRaises an error due to missing children
DThe root node (value 1)
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
  1. Step 1: Check base cases

    Root equals p and q (same node), so root == p or root == q returns True.
  2. Step 2: Return root immediately

    Function returns root node as LCA since both p and q are the same node.
  3. Final Answer:

    Option D -> Option D
  4. Quick Check:

    Same node returns that node as LCA [OK]
Quick Trick: If root matches p or q, return root [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Returning None or error on single-node tree
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Candidates expect two distinct nodes and mishandle identical p and q.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests edge case handling in recursive DFS
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