Given an integer array nums, return all the triplets [nums[i], nums[j], nums[k]] such that i != j, i != k, and j != k, and nums[i] + nums[j] + nums[k] == 0.
Notice that the solution set must not contain duplicate triplets.
Example 1:
Input: nums = [-1,0,1,2,-1,-4] Output: [[-1,-1,2],[-1,0,1]] Explanation: nums[0] + nums[1] + nums[2] = (-1) + 0 + 1 = 0. nums[1] + nums[2] + nums[4] = 0 + 1 + (-1) = 0. nums[0] + nums[3] + nums[4] = (-1) + 2 + (-1) = 0. The distinct triplets are [-1,0,1] and [-1,-1,2]. Notice that the order of the output and the order of the triplets does not matter.
Example 2:
Input: nums = [0,1,1] Output: [] Explanation: The only possible triplet does not sum up to 0.
Example 3:
Input: nums = [0,0,0] Output: [[0,0,0]] Explanation: The only possible triplet sums up to 0.
Constraints:
3 <= nums.length <= 3000-105 <= nums[i] <= 105
- So, we essentially need to find three numbers x, y, and z such that they add up to the given value. If we fix one of the numbers say x, we are left with the two-sum problem at hand!
- For the two-sum problem, if we fix one of the numbers, say x, we have to scan the entire array to find the next number y, which is value - x where value is the input parameter. Can we change our array somehow so that this search becomes faster?
- The second train of thought for two-sum is, without changing the array, can we use additional space somehow? Like maybe a hash map to speed up the search?