Find kth largest element in matrix
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Quick Overview
Given an n x n matrix where each row and column is sorted in ascending order, write a function to find the kth largest element in the matrix. The function should take the matrix and an integer k as inputs and return the kth largest element as output. The solution should be efficient, ideally with a time complexity better than O(n^2).
Adobe
May 22, 20264
5
2,277 solved
Given an n x n matrix where each row and column is sorted in ascending order, write a function to find the kth largest element in the matrix. The function should take the matrix and an integer k as inputs and return the kth largest element as output. The solution should be efficient, ideally with a time complexity better than O(n^2).
Coding interviews at Adobe 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
- Quickly identify the optimal approach and its theoretical basis
- Handle complex algorithm design with multiple interacting components
- Write concise, elegant code under time pressure
- Prove correctness of your approach and discuss alternative solutions
- Optimize beyond the obvious: discuss constant factor improvements
- Address follow-up variations and explain how the solution generalizes
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
- Can you optimize the space complexity of your solution?
- Can you solve this iteratively instead of recursively (or vice versa)?
- What is the worst-case input for your solution?
- How would your solution change if the input was sorted?
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
To find the kth largest element in a sorted n x n matrix, where each row and column is sorted in ascending order, we can utilize a min-heap (priority queue) as our primary data structure. The reason t...
Approach
- Initialize a min-heap: Create an empty min-heap to store the largest k elements.
- Iterate through the matrix: Traverse each element in the n x n matrix. For each element:
- If the size...
Submit Your Answer
