The Runtime Theory
mediumLeetCode#sorting#intervals

Merge Intervals

Combine overlapping intervals in a list of endpoint pairs.

The Runtime Theory Team25 min read
Solve it

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Sample cases

inintervals=[[1,3],[2,6],[8,10],[15,18]]

out[[1,6],[8,10],[15,18]]

inintervals=[[1,4],[4,5]]

out[[1,5]]

inintervals=[[1,4]]

out[[1,4]]

Combine overlapping intervals in a list of endpoint pairs.

A good solution should

  • State the invariant or decision rule that makes the approach correct.
  • Explain time and space costs in terms of input size and required output.
  • Handle empty, minimal, duplicate, and boundary-shaped inputs.

Reasoning prompt

Sort by start, merge into the current interval, and state whether touching closed endpoints count as overlap.

Use the linked judge for the canonical challenge. The examples above are compact TRT checks; create additional tests around the boundary most likely to break your invariant.

More practice in this topic

One dispatch a week

The trace behind each problem, the tradeoff that explains it, and one technical dispatch per week — no noise.

One technical dispatch per week. No noise.

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