Fast And Slow Pointer To Find Duplicates. If you don’t know much about Floyd’s Tortoise and Hare

If you don’t know much about Floyd’s Tortoise and Hare algorithm, Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. There is only one Hey coders !! In problem-solving, we often use a technique called Fast and Slow Pointers. This approach is particularly useful for detecting cycles, finding the middle element, or identifying patterns in linked lists or arrays. Typically, the “slow” pointer Learn the Fast and Slow Pointers pattern, a simple yet powerful technique for solving problems involving linked lists and sequences. The only difference is that, slow pointer travels the linked list one node at a time The fast and slow pointer technique is a specialized variant of the two-pointer pattern, characterized by the differing speeds at which two pointers The fast and slow pointer technique is a popular approach used in solving problems related to linked lists or arrays. value==slow. Move the slow pointer one step at a time and the fast pointer two steps at a time 1. There is only one When it comes to coding interviews, certain patterns and algorithms frequently appear, and one of the most useful and versatile patterns is the “Fast and Slow Pointers” approach, also The Fast and Slow Pointer technique involves two pointers that move through a data structure (usually a linked list or array) at different speeds — one moves twice as fast as the other. If a cycle exists, the fast pointer will eventually catch up to the slow pointer. Linked List. innoskrit. Applicability: The problem guarantees a cycle due to the duplicate, aligning perfectly with Floyd’s cycle detection. You are attempting to Data Structures and Algorithms. They start together and If the slow and fast pointers are equal, then the duplicate number is the value of the slow pointer. It is used to efficiently solve several The "click" moment was realizing how to use a Fast and Slow pointer setup to achieve the same result in one go. value). Initialise the slow pointer to 0. There is only one If you've ever wondered how to detect cycles in linked lists, find middle elements without counting, or solve complex problems with surprising efficiency, you're about to discover your new favorite The fast pointer actually become useless after finding the middle point After we find the middle node (after fast reach to the end), we split the linked list to left sublist (that’s why I used a If they both meet that means there are duplicates in the array. By moving two pointers at different speeds, you can find the We let the slow pointer slow follow behind the fast pointer fast. Most of the solutions for detecting the loop in a linked list say that the fast pointer need to move twice the steps of the slow pointer. Given two Cycle Detection: In a linked list, if there’s a cycle, the fast and slow pointers will eventually meet at the same node. There is only one Green point: fast pointer, red point: slow pointer. and learnt about two pointer algorithm . It’s easy to understand and very useful. If there is a cycle, the fast and the slow pointer meet at a point. The fast pointer moves twice as fast as the slow pointer. The Fast & Slow Pointer technique solves these problems smartly OverviewThe Fast and Slow Pointers Pattern is based on the idea of using two pointers simultaneously to solve a problem more efficiently. Definition Fast & Slow pointers is a technique that uses two pointers moving at different speeds through a linked list. Initialize slow =0; Then move slow and fast pointer as one jump; till the time they In this algorithm, we have 2 pointers namely slow and fast. The fast and slow pointer algorithm is a well-known technique used to detect cycles in data structures like linked lists. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the fast and slow pointers technique, exploring its applications, implementation, and how it can give you an The Fast & Slow Pointers (also known as the Tortoise and Hare) technique is a fundamental algorithm used in problems involving linked lists and cyclic detection. Whenever fast finds a non-duplicate element, it assigns it to slow and moves Ever wondered how to detect if a linked list has a cycle without using extra memory? The Fast & Slow Pointers technique, also known as Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. Typically, the fast pointer moves twice as fast as the slow pointer. Beginner-friendly solution for Leetcode daily challenge problem. The It allows the fast pointer to eventually "lap" the slow pointer, ensuring that if a cycle exists, they will eventually meet inside the cycle. For example: Fast and Slow pointers is an algorithm that Fast and slow pointers use two pointers to traverse an iterable data structure at different speeds to identify patterns such as cycles. There is only one 🚀 Day 37 of #180DaysOfCode Today I solved two classic Linked List problems 🔹 Remove Duplicates from Sorted List - Traversed the list once and removed duplicate nodes in-place to keep only Move both pointers forward: slow = slow. In algorithm problems, sometimes we need to detect cycles, find the middle of a list, or track repeated patterns efficiently. Its concern is The slow pointer is used to traverse the linked list and the fast pointer is used to check for duplicates. All other distances between the fast and slow pointers will reduce to one of these two possibilities. Here is explained 6 problems related to it. How to use fast and slow pointer technique to solve a pattern of problems of linked list. In a cycle, the distance traveled by the fast pointer is twice that of the slow pointer. e slow and Given a sorted array, write a program to remove duplicates from the array. Master DSA Patterns: https://algomaster. Why can't we have the fast pointer be just one step ahead a The Find the Middle of a Linked List problem is a classic example of how the Slow and Fast Pointer technique simplifies linked list traversal. . We need to remove repeated elements so that there is a single occurrence of each element and return the length of the array What is Fast and slow pointer technique ? This approach uses two pointers at different speeds through a data structure (mainly linked list ) to detect patterns such as cycles or finding It works by checking if fast and slow point to the same location and not if they have the same values of nodes (fast==slow isn't the same as fast. After detecting the The slow pointer moves one step at a time, while the fast pointer moves by two steps. Remove Duplicates from Sorted Array in Rust, Scala, Java and Python. Here's how it works: We initialize two pointers, slow and fast, both initially pointing to the first element of the array. The "fast and slow pointers" technique involves using two pointers that traverse the array (or linked list) at different speeds. Two Pointers Playlist • Two Pointers more Fast and Slow Pointers The Fast and Slow Pointers technique, also known as the Tortoise Tagged with datastructures, algorithms, coding, interview. Due to the different speeds of the pointers, this pattern is also commonly How to use fast and slow pointer technique to solve a pattern of problems of linked list. Learn how it simplifies array and string problems with real-world examples and tips for coding interviews in 2025. Fast/Slow pointers and Reversing Hi, hope you’re doing well at the moment! Today we’re going to dive The fast pointer moves with double the speed of the slow pointer, that's why when the fast pointer reaches the end of the linked list, the slow pointer is in the middle. It works by having two Beginner-friendly solution for Leetcode daily challenge problem. But this comes with one key difference, the pointers Just as the racetrack analogy helps visualize the movements of the slow and fast pointers, Floyd's algorithm offers an elegant and efficient solution 3. This pattern is Master the Two Pointers technique used in algorithmic problem-solving. Middle Element: By the time the fast Mathematical Insight The fast pointer moves twice as fast as the slow pointer. Here’s how it The slow and fast pointers algorithm (also known as Floyd's Cycle Detection algorithm or the Tortoise and Hare algorithm) uses two pointers to determine traits about a graph. Two Pointers Playlist • Two Pointers more For the problem of detecting cycles in a linked list, there is a universal solution—the fast and slow pointer method (Floyd’s Cycle Detection Algorithm). Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. Typically, the slow pointer moves one step at a time while the fast pointer moves two steps at a time. wikipedia. next Continue this process until: The fast pointer reaches the end (in case of no cycle). Similar to two pointers, fast and slow pointers use two pointers to traverse data structures. Using this pattern, you can solve multiple ar This works because, in a cycle, the fast pointer moves faster and will eventually catch up with the slow one, kind of like how a faster car eventually overtakes a slower one on a circular track. Grind 75 Problems The Fast & Slow Pointers Find The Duplicates in an Array (Floyds cycle) slow and fast pointers (Day -08) CoffeeBites with Vijay 103 subscribers Subscribed Here is the proof: If the Hare (fast pointer) is one step behind the Tortoise (slow pointer): The fast pointer moves two steps and the slow pointer Find the Start of a Cycle in Linked List 🔥 | Floyd’s Algorithm Explained In this video, you’ll learn how to find the starting node of a cycle in a linked list using the fast & slow pointer technique (Floyd’s Algorithm). Locate the Entry Point: Move both pointers one step Floyd's cycle finding algorithm or Hare-Tortoise algorithm is a pointer algorithm that uses only two pointers, moving through the sequence at different Slow and fast pointers is a technique where two pointers traverse a data structure at different speeds. It involves using two pointers that traverse the data structure at Picture two friends exploring a path: one walks slowly (the slow pointer), while the other runs ahead (the fast pointer). Initialize another pointer, called the second pointer, The fast and slow pointer technique, also known as the Floyd’s Tortoise and Hare algorithm, is a popular algorithmic technique used in What's new on SkillSetMaster? Better Doubt Resolution Faster response times and improved support system Can you solve this real interview question? Linked List Cycle - Given head, the head of a linked list, determine if the linked list has a cycle in it. Here is explained 6 problems related to it with solutions. This property is used to detect cycles efficiently. Find the Duplicate: Once the cycle is detected (i. org/wiki/In-place_algorithm] such that each Introduction Floyd's slow and fast pointers approach is one of the most elegant and effective methods for solving linked list problems. But don't quite understand why it works ? ( i. next. next fast = fast. Locate the Entry Point: Move both pointers one step at a Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. This pointer will be used to track the After each iteration where the slow pointer moves one step forward and the fast pointer moves two steps forward, the distance between the two Whenever the fast pointer finds a new number (which is not a duplicate, since duplicates are grouped together), it signals the slow pointer to move one step forward and copy this new number. The two This article will explore how to use two pointers, fast and slow pointers, and sliding window techniques to enhance your coding efficiency in C#. Concept Quora： Slow pointer and fast pointer are simply the names given to two pointer variables. Using above algorithm we can find the meeting point (if cycle exists) where the slow and fast pointers intersect inside the cycle. Grind 75 Problems The Fast & Slow Pointers What are Fast and Slow Pointers? The fast and slow pointer technique involves using two pointers that traverse a data structure at different Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. The slow pointer moves one step Move the fast pointer two nodes at a time, while moving the slow pointer one node at a time. “Two Pointers technique: Slow & Fast Pointers => Remove duplicates” Can you solve this real interview question? Find the Duplicate Number - Given an array of integers nums containing n + 1 integers where each integer is in the range [1, n] inclusive. By combining fast and slow pointers to detect the cycle and then using Swap Nth nodes K rotations Pattern: Fast and slow pointers Understanding the fast and slow pointer pattern Identifying the fast and slow pointer pattern Middle node search Split list in half Mathematical Insight The fast pointer moves twice as fast as the slow pointer. in/blog/find-the-duplicate-number/Start of Loop in the Linked List: https://www. Grind 75 Problems The Fast & Slow Pointers 85 I had a look at question already which talk about algorithm to find loop in a linked list. There is a cycle in a linked list if there is some node in the Remove Duplicates from Sorted Array - Given an integer array nums sorted in non-decreasing order, remove the duplicates in-place [https://en. The Brute Force: Calculate length -> Traverse L - n nodes -> Re-link pointers. If a cycle exists, the faster pointer will eventually “lap” the slower pointer, and they will LinkedList Problems (FAANG-level) Detect cycle (Fast & Slow pointer) Find middle element Reverse a linked list Merge two sorted linked lists 🔹 5. If the fast pointer ever catches up to the slow pointer, there is a loop in the linked list. I have read Floyd's cycle-finding algorithm solution, mentioned at lot of places that we have to take two pointers. com/watch?v=_ynpEGuYsW4& Fast & Slow Pointers — A Pattern for Technical Problems Hearing the phrase “technical interview” makes my heart beat a little faster. For the problem of detecting cycles in a linked list, there is a universal solution—the fast and slow pointer method (Floyd’s Cycle Detection Algorithm). Fast and Slow pointers is a technique commonly used to detect cycles in LinkedLists. The slow pointer moves one step at a time while the fast pointer moves multiple steps. The fast and slow pointers technique involves using two pointers that traverse the data structure at different speeds. The essence of the slow and fast pointer technique lies in utilizing two pointers — typically labeled “slow” and “fast” — that traverse a data structure at Tortoise and Hare algorithm, commonly known as Floyd’s cycle detection algorithm is a pointer algorithm that uses two pointers, which move By leveraging the power of the slow and fast pointers, we can efficiently solve problems that might otherwise require more complex algorithms or extensive computations. youtube. Given two Remove Duplicates from Sorted Array in Rust, Scala, Java and Python. View TBS_1999's solution of Find the Duplicate Number on LeetCode, the world's largest programming community. OR the two pointers meet (in case of a cycle). io/In this video, I talk about Fast and Slow Pointers LeetCode Pattern. Let’s analyze these scenarios, considering the fast Initialize two pointers, often called the "slow" and "fast" pointers, to the starting point of the sequence. There is only one Mathematical Insight The fast pointer moves twice as fast as the slow pointer. Find the Duplicate: Once the cycle is detected (i. #leetcode Code Link: https://learn. e. We use a loop to advance these pointers. 1 i'm learning data structure and algorithm . Slow pointer moves by one position where as fast pointer moves by 2 position. i learnt how it works and how to implement it. We have explained Fast and slow pointer technique in Linked List which is also known as tortoise and hare algorithm. , slow == fast), reset one of the pointers (either slow or fast) to nums[0].

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