Greedy on array
Last updated: February 22, 2026
Quick Overview
Given an array of integers, implement a greedy algorithm to find the maximum sum of non-adjacent elements. You need to return the maximum sum that can be obtained by selecting elements such that no two selected elements are adjacent in the array. The input will be an array of integers, and the output should be a single integer representing the maximum sum.
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Given an array of integers, implement a greedy algorithm to find the maximum sum of non-adjacent elements. You need to return the maximum sum that can be obtained by selecting elements such that no two selected elements are adjacent in the array. The input will be an array of integers, and the output should be a single integer representing the maximum sum.
Coding interviews at LinkedIn 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
- Identify the correct data structure and algorithm for the problem
- Write clean, bug-free code with proper variable naming
- Analyze time and space complexity correctly
- Handle basic edge cases (empty input, single element)
- Communicate your thought process while coding
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
- What happens if the input contains duplicates?
- Can you optimize the space complexity of your solution?
- Can you solve this iteratively instead of recursively (or vice versa)?
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Practice DSA ProblemsSample Answer
Problem Analysis
The problem requires us to find the maximum sum of non-adjacent elements in an array of integers. This suggests a dynamic programming approach, notably because we need to make decisions at each elemen...
Approach
- Initialize two variables,
incl(to store the maximum sum including the current element) andexcl(to store the maximum sum excluding the current element). Set both to 0 initially. - Iterate ...
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