Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values Python/Java solution

Most implementations follow the same pattern: sort the array, iterate once, and compute the difference between adjacent values. This logic translates directly to Python, Java, C++, Go, and TypeScript with identical time complexity of O(n log n).

How to solve Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values in O(n)?

If the input is already sorted, the problem can be solved in O(n) time with a single pass. Iterate through the array once and compute the absolute difference between consecutive elements while tracking the minimum value.

What is the best approach for Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values?

The most efficient approach sorts the array and then performs a single pass comparing adjacent elements. After sorting, the minimum absolute difference must appear between neighboring values. This reduces the search from O(n²) comparisons to O(n log n) time with O(1) extra space.

Is Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values asked at Google/Amazon/Meta?

Variants of this problem appear in interviews at companies like Amazon and Google as part of array and sorting discussions. Interviewers typically expect the candidate to recognize that sorting enables an efficient adjacent comparison strategy.

What data structure is used in Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values?

The core structure is an array. The optimized solution relies on sorting the array and then scanning it sequentially. No additional complex data structures are required beyond basic variables to track the current minimum difference.

What is the time complexity of Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values?

The optimal solution runs in O(n log n) time due to sorting. After sorting the array, a single linear scan checks the difference between adjacent elements in O(n) time. The brute force method, which compares all pairs, takes O(n²) time.

Description Hints 1 Solution Video 2:43

3880. Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values

Q: Is Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values easy or hard?

Minimum Absolute Difference Between Two Values is generally considered an easy problem. The key insight is recognizing that sorting allows you to compare only neighboring elements instead of all possible pairs.

Easy66.2% acceptance1 company

You are given an integer array nums consisting only of 0, 1, and 2.

A pair of indices (i, j) is called valid if nums[i] == 1 and nums[j] == 2.

Return the minimum absolute difference between i and j among all valid pairs. If no valid pair exists, return -1.

The absolute difference between indices i and j is defined as abs(i - j).

Example 1:

Input: nums = [1,0,0,2,0,1]

Output: 2

Explanation:

The valid pairs are:

(0, 3) which has absolute difference of abs(0 - 3) = 3.
(5, 3) which has absolute difference of abs(5 - 3) = 2.

Thus, the answer is 2.

Example 2:

Input: nums = [1,0,1,0]

Output: -1

Explanation:

There are no valid pairs in the array, thus the answer is -1.

Constraints:

1 <= nums.length <= 100
0 <= nums[i] <= 2

Asked at 1 company

Snowflake

Topics

Array Enumeration

Hints open one at a time

Hint 1

Use brute force

2:43

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

Starter codePython 3Spaces: 4

Examples

Case 1Case 2

Input

[1,0,0,2,0,1]

Input

[1,0,1,0]

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