Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array Python/Java solution

Most implementations follow the same logic across languages: iterate through the array and compute abs(nums[i] - nums[(i + 1) % n]). Python, Java, C++, Go, TypeScript, Rust, and C# implementations all run in O(n) time and O(1) space using this pattern.

What is the best approach for Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array?

The best approach is a single-pass simulation that checks each pair of adjacent elements using modulo indexing. Iterate from index 0 to n-1 and compute abs(nums[i] - nums[(i + 1) % n]). This automatically includes the circular pair between the last and first elements. The algorithm runs in O(n) time with O(1) extra space.

Is Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array asked at Google/Amazon/Meta?

This style of array traversal problem commonly appears in coding interviews at large tech companies including Amazon, Google, and Meta. While the exact problem ID may vary, handling circular arrays and computing adjacent relationships is a frequent interview pattern.

What data structure is used in Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array?

The problem primarily uses a basic array with sequential traversal. No additional data structures are required since the solution only tracks a running maximum and compares adjacent values.

What is the time complexity of Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array?

The optimal solution runs in O(n) time because each element is compared with its next neighbor exactly once. Only constant extra variables are used to track the maximum difference, so the space complexity is O(1).

Description Hints 2 Solution Video 4:52

3423. Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array

Q: How to solve Maximum Difference Between Adjacent Elements in a Circular Array in O(n)?

Traverse the array once and compute the absolute difference between nums[i] and nums[(i + 1) % n]. The modulo ensures the last element is compared with the first, preserving the circular property. Update a running maximum during the loop and return it after the traversal.

Easy75.7% acceptance5 companies

Given a circular array nums, find the maximum absolute difference between adjacent elements.

Note: In a circular array, the first and last elements are adjacent.

Example 1:

Input: nums = [1,2,4]

Output: 3

Explanation:

Because nums is circular, nums[0] and nums[2] are adjacent. They have the maximum absolute difference of |4 - 1| = 3.

Example 2:

Input: nums = [-5,-10,-5]

Output: 5

Explanation:

The adjacent elements nums[0] and nums[1] have the maximum absolute difference of |-5 - (-10)| = 5.

Constraints:

2 <= nums.length <= 100
-100 <= nums[i] <= 100

Asked at 5 companies

Google Amazon Microsoft Meta Bloomberg

Topics

Array

Hints open one at a time

Hint 1

Traverse from the second element to the last element and check the difference of every adjacent pair.

Hint 2

The edge case is to check the difference between the first and last elements.

4:52

Still stuck?Read the written solution, or watch a walkthrough.

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1class Solution:
2    def maxAdjacentDistance(self, nums: List[int]) -> int:
3        

Starter codePython 3Spaces: 4

Examples

Case 1Case 2

Input

[1,2,4]

Input

[-5,-10,-5]

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