Find Middle Node Of A Linked List Problem Statement
Given a linked list, find its middle element.
If the list has even number of nodes, return the second of the two middle nodes.
Example One
{
"head": [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
}
Output:
3
Example Two
{
"head": [1, 2, 3, 4]
}
Output:
3
Notes
Constraints:
- 0 <= number of nodes <= 105
- -2 * 109 <= node value <= 2 * 109
- Do it in one pass over the list
- If given linked list is empty, return null.
We have provided one solution for this problem.
Find Middle Node Of A Linked List Solution: Optimal
A naive solution involves computing the length of the list and then traversing exactly half of that.
A faster approach is to use a slow pointer and a fast pointer, with the faster one traversing twice as fast.
By the time the fast one reaches the end of the list, the slower one is at the midpoint. This solution still takes O(n) time but it is faster than the naive one.
Time Complexity
O(n).
Auxiliary Space Used
O(1).
Space Complexity
O(n).
Code For Find Middle Node Of A Linked List Solution: Optimal
/*
* Asymptotic complexity in terms of length of the given linked list \`n\`:
* Time: O(n).
* Auxiliary space: O(1).
* Total space: O(n).
*/
LinkedListNode* find_middle_node(LinkedListNode* head)
{
LinkedListNode *slow_ptr = head;
LinkedListNode *fast_ptr = head;
while (fast_ptr && fast_ptr->next)
{
// Forward two steps.
fast_ptr = fast_ptr->next->next;
// Forward one step.
slow_ptr = slow_ptr->next;
}
return slow_ptr;
}
We hope that these solutions to finding the middle node in a singly linked list problem have helped you level up your coding skills. You can expect problems like these at top tech companies like Amazon and Google.
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