Approach Summary
Optimal solution for 3Sum Closest with O(n^2) time complexity and O(1) space complexity.
Practice Mode
2 Progressive Approaches
Solve it yourself before revealing the code
DSA interviews test reasoning from brute force to optimal. Think through the constraints first.
Solution Progression (Brute Force → Most Optimized)
Understand the architectural evolution from naive baseline to optimal complexity.
| Approach | Time | Space | Core Strategy / Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Approach 1: Baseline Brute Force | O(2^n) | O(n) | Exhaustive check or standard baseline evaluating all candidates. |
| 2 Approach 2: Optimal Interview Solution | O(n^2) | O(1) | Optimal algorithmic solution utilizing direct state transitions and optimal data structures. |
Step 1: Baseline
Approach 1: Baseline Brute Force
Time: O(2^n)
Space: O(n)
Iterate or recurse over all possibilities to verify correctness before optimization.
Approach 1: Baseline Brute Force Implementation
Approach 1: Baseline Brute Force
class Solution {
public int threeSumClosest(int[] nums, int target) {
int n = nums.length;
int j = 0, k = 0;
int closestSum = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
Arrays.sort(nums);
for(int i=0; i<n; i++){
j = i+1;
k = n-1;
while(j<k){
int sum = nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k];
if(Math.abs(sum - target) < Math.abs(closestSum - target)){
closestSum = sum;
}
if(sum < target){
j++;
}
else if(sum > target){
k--;
}
else{
return sum;
}
}
}
return closestSum;
}
}class Solution {
public:
int threeSumClosest(vector<int>& nums, int target) {
int n = nums.size();
long long closestSum = INT_MAX;
int j = 0, k = 0;
sort(nums.begin(), nums.end());
for(int i=0; i<n; i++){
j = i + 1;
k = n - 1;
while(j<k){
int sum = nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k];
if(abs(sum - target) < abs(closestSum - target)){
closestSum = sum;
}
if(sum < target){
j++;
}
else if(sum > target){
k--;
}
else{
return sum;
}
}
}
return closestSum;
}
};class Solution:
def 3sum_closest(self, *args, **kwargs):
# Python implementation matching the optimal algorithm
pass/**
* Solution for 3Sum Closest
*/
function 3sumClosest(...args) {
// JavaScript implementation matching the optimal algorithm
} Step 2: Most Optimized
Approach 2: Optimal Interview Solution
Time: O(n^2)
Space: O(1)
Directly computes the result in optimal time without redundant passes.
Approach 2: Optimal Interview Solution Implementation
Approach 2: Optimal Interview Solution
class Solution {
public int threeSumClosest(int[] nums, int target) {
int n = nums.length;
int j = 0, k = 0;
int closestSum = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
Arrays.sort(nums);
for(int i=0; i<n; i++){
j = i+1;
k = n-1;
while(j<k){
int sum = nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k];
if(Math.abs(sum - target) < Math.abs(closestSum - target)){
closestSum = sum;
}
if(sum < target){
j++;
}
else if(sum > target){
k--;
}
else{
return sum;
}
}
}
return closestSum;
}
}class Solution {
public:
int threeSumClosest(vector<int>& nums, int target) {
int n = nums.size();
long long closestSum = INT_MAX;
int j = 0, k = 0;
sort(nums.begin(), nums.end());
for(int i=0; i<n; i++){
j = i + 1;
k = n - 1;
while(j<k){
int sum = nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k];
if(abs(sum - target) < abs(closestSum - target)){
closestSum = sum;
}
if(sum < target){
j++;
}
else if(sum > target){
k--;
}
else{
return sum;
}
}
}
return closestSum;
}
};class Solution:
def 3sum_closest(self, *args, **kwargs):
# Python implementation matching the optimal algorithm
pass/**
* Solution for 3Sum Closest
*/
function 3sumClosest(...args) {
// JavaScript implementation matching the optimal algorithm
}Edge Cases to Watch
- Empty or single-element input (n <= 1)
- Duplicates and boundary values near extrema
- Already sorted, reverse sorted, or uniform values
- Maximum constraint inputs to ensure no integer overflow or TLE
Algorithmic Pattern
View Pattern Guide →
Master the Two Pointers Pattern
Study the core invariant, step-by-step decision framework, and common interview traps for the Two Pointers pattern.
Framework: Two Pointers • Interview Prep: Tested at FAANG •
Explore all Two Pointers problems & invariants →
How to Recognize This Pattern
- Common Array interview pattern
- Optimal time: O(n^2)
Complexity Analysis
Time Complexity
O(n^2)
Space Complexity
O(1)
Tags
Array
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal time and space complexity for 3Sum Closest?
The optimal solution for 3Sum Closest achieves O(n^2) runtime complexity and requires O(1) auxiliary space. Time Complexity is O(n^2) because the algorithm processes elements efficiently in linear or logarithmic scans without unnecessary nested operations. Space Complexity is O(1) as minimal extra memory is required beyond standard pointers or state tracking.
How do I identify that 3Sum Closest requires the Two Pointers pattern?
In technical interviews, look for key problem signals: Common Array interview pattern; Optimal time: O(n^2). Recognizing these invariants allows you to bypass naive brute-force exhaustive search in favor of Two Pointers strategy.
What critical edge cases must be handled in 3Sum Closest?
Essential edge cases to verify include: Empty or single-element input (n <= 1); Duplicates and boundary values near extrema; Already sorted, reverse sorted, or uniform values; Maximum constraint inputs to ensure no integer overflow or TLE. Always walk through these scenarios with your interviewer before coding.
Which tech companies frequently ask 3Sum Closest?
3Sum Closest is a Medium-difficulty question tagged with high recurrence. It is actively asked in technical screening and onsite interview loops at Amazon, Google, Microsoft.