Search in Rotated Sorted Array

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Problem Overview

Search in sorted array rotated at an unknown pivot.

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Intuition

Search in sorted array rotated at an unknown pivot. Modified binary search.

Algorithm

1Find which half is sorted. If target in sorted half: search there. Else search other half.

Common Pitfalls

• Same as LC 33. One half is always sorted. Determine which using arr[lo] vs arr[mid]. O(log n).

Search in Rotated Sorted Array.java

Java

// Approach: Binary search. Determine which half is sorted, then narrow the search accordingly.
// Time: O(log n) Space: O(1)
class Solution {
    int search(int[] arr, int key) {
        int low = 0, high = arr.length - 1;

        while (low < high) {
            int mid = (low + high) / 2;
            if (arr[mid] > arr[high]) {
                if (arr[mid] < key || key <= arr[high])
                    low = mid + 1;
                else
                    high = mid;
            } else {
                if (arr[mid] < key && key <= arr[high])
                    low = mid + 1;
                else
                    high = mid;
            }
        }

        if (low == high && key != arr[low])
            return -1;

        return low;
    }
}

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