Binary Search on interval list
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Quick Overview
Given a list of intervals, implement a binary search algorithm to determine if a specific target interval exists within the list. The input will be a sorted list of intervals and a target interval, and the output should be a boolean indicating whether the target interval is present in the list. Ensure that your solution efficiently handles the search operation in logarithmic time complexity.
PayPal
May 1, 2026150
9
3,400 solved
Given a list of intervals, implement a binary search algorithm to determine if a specific target interval exists within the list. The input will be a sorted list of intervals and a target interval, and the output should be a boolean indicating whether the target interval is present in the list. Ensure that your solution efficiently handles the search operation in logarithmic time complexity.
Coding interviews at PayPal focus on problem-solving approach as much as the final solution. The interviewer wants to see you break down the problem, consider edge cases, and optimize iteratively. Communication throughout the process is key.
What the Interviewer Expects
- Recognize the underlying problem pattern (sliding window, two pointers, BFS/DFS, etc.)
- Discuss multiple approaches and trade-offs before coding
- Implement an optimal solution with clean, production-quality code
- Handle all edge cases including boundary conditions and invalid input
- Optimize both time and space complexity with clear justification
- Test your solution systematically with well-chosen examples
Key Topics to Cover
How to Approach This
- Clarify input constraints and edge cases before writing code.
- Walk through your approach verbally and confirm with the interviewer before coding.
- Start with a brute force solution, then optimize. Mention time and space complexity.
- Test your solution with examples, including edge cases like empty input or duplicates.
- Consider common patterns: sliding window, two pointers, hash map, BFS/DFS, dynamic programming.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- How would you parallelize this solution?
- What if the input doesn't fit in memory?
- Can you optimize the space complexity of your solution?
- How would you modify your solution to handle streaming input?
Sharpen Your Skills on Codemia
Practice similar problems with our interactive workspace, get AI feedback, and track your progress.
Practice DSA ProblemsSample Answer
Problem Analysis
The problem requires us to determine if a specific target interval exists within a sorted list of intervals. Given that the input list is sorted, we can utilize a binary search approach. The reason bi...
Approach
- Start by defining the search range with two pointers:
leftinitialized to 0 andrightinitialized to the last index of the intervals list. - While
leftis less than or equal toright, calc...
Submit Your Answer
