Fast Slow Pointers

Subtitle / Summary The hard part of LeetCode 19 is not deleting a node. It is locating the predecessor of the n-th node from the end in a singly linked list without walking backward. Reading time: 12-15 min Tags: Hot100, linked list, two pointers, dummy node SEO keywords: Remove Nth Node From End of List, one-pass two pointers, dummy node, LeetCode 19, Hot100 Meta description: A derivation-first ACERS explanation of LeetCode 19 with fixed-gap two pointers, dummy node boundary handling, engineering mapping, and runnable multi-language implementations. A - Algorithm (Problem and Algorithm) Problem Restatement Given the head of a linked list, remove the n-th node from the end of the list and return the head of the modified list. ...

Subtitle / Summary LeetCode 148 is not about whether you can sort; it is about choosing the right sorting strategy for linked-list constraints. For singly linked lists, merge sort fits naturally: split by middle, sort recursively, merge linearly. Reading time: 12-16 min Tags: Hot100, linked list, merge sort, divide and conquer SEO keywords: Sort List, linked list merge sort, LeetCode 148, Hot100 Meta description: A practical ACERS guide for LeetCode 148 with derivation, complexity analysis, engineering mappings, and runnable code in multiple languages. A - Algorithm (Problem and Algorithm) Problem Restatement Given the head of a linked list head, sort it in ascending order and return the sorted list. Required time complexity: O(n log n). ...

Subtitle / Summary LeetCode 142 upgrades cycle detection into cycle entry localization. The robust template is Floyd: first detect a meeting inside the cycle, then reset one pointer to head and move both by one step; the next meeting node is the cycle entry. Reading time: 12-16 min Tags: Hot100, linked list, fast slow pointers, Floyd SEO keywords: Linked List Cycle II, cycle entry, Floyd, fast slow pointers, O(1) space, LeetCode 142, Hot100 Meta description: Floyd cycle detection + entry localization with proof intuition, engineering mapping, and runnable multi-language implementations in O(n) time and O(1) extra space. A - Algorithm (Problem and Algorithm) Problem Restatement Given head of a singly linked list, return the node where the cycle begins. If there is no cycle, return null. ...

Subtitle / Summary Detecting a cycle in a linked list is a pointer chasing problem, not a value comparison problem. This ACERS guide explains why Floyd’s fast/slow pointers must meet if a cycle exists, how to avoid null-pointer bugs, and how the same pattern maps to engineering checks. Reading time: 10-12 min Tags: Hot100, linked list, fast slow pointers, Floyd SEO keywords: Linked List Cycle, Floyd, fast slow pointers, LeetCode 141, Hot100 Meta description: O(n)/O(1) cycle detection in singly linked lists using Floyd fast/slow pointers, with alternatives, common mistakes, and runnable multi-language code. A - Algorithm (Problem and Algorithm) Problem Restatement Given head node head of a singly linked list, determine whether there is a cycle in the list. Return true if a cycle exists, else false. ...

Subtitle / Summary The core of palindrome validation is symmetric comparison, but a singly linked list cannot move backward. The most stable engineering template is: find middle -> reverse second half in-place -> compare -> reverse back to restore. Reading time: 10-14 min Tags: Hot100, linked list, fast slow pointers, in-place reverse SEO keywords: Palindrome Linked List, fast slow pointers, reverse second half, O(1) space, LeetCode 234 Meta description: O(n)/O(1) palindrome check for singly linked list with middle detection, second-half reversal, comparison, and full structure restoration. A - Algorithm (Problem and Algorithm) Problem Restatement Given the head of a singly linked list head, return true if it is a palindrome; otherwise return false. ...