Given an array nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is between 1 and n (inclusive), prove that at least one duplicate number must exist. Assume that there is only one duplicate number, find the duplicate one.
Example 1:
Input: [1,3,4,2,2]
Output: 2
Example 2:
Input: [3,1,3,4,2]
Output: 3
Note:
- You must not modify the array (assume the array is read only).
- You must use only constant, O(1) extra space.
- Your runtime complexity should be less than O(n2).
- There is only one duplicate number in the array, but it could be repeated more than once.
class Solution {
public int findDuplicate(int[] nums) {
// Find the intersection point of the two runners.
int tortoise = nums[0];
int hare = nums[0];
do {
tortoise = nums[tortoise];
hare = nums[nums[hare]];
} while (tortoise != hare);
// Find the "entrance" to the cycle.
tortoise = nums[0];
while (tortoise != hare) {
tortoise = nums[tortoise];
hare = nums[hare];
}
return tortoise;
}
}
- https://leetcode.com/articles/find-the-duplicate-number
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUm2ABqAs1w (Why Floyd's cycle algorithm work)