Transform linked list to tree
Last updated: July 15, 2025
Quick Overview
Given a sorted singly linked list, transform it into a balanced binary search tree (BST). The output should be the root node of the resulting BST, ensuring that the tree maintains the properties of a binary search tree while being height-balanced.
Adobe
July 15, 202518
9
1,117 solved
Given a sorted singly linked list, transform it into a balanced binary search tree (BST). The output should be the root node of the resulting BST, ensuring that the tree maintains the properties of a binary search tree while being height-balanced.
This coding problem is frequently asked during Technical Screen at Adobe. The interviewer is testing your ability to translate a problem into clean, working code while discussing time and space complexity. Adobe expects candidates to write production-quality code, not just solve the puzzle.
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
- What is the worst-case input for your solution?
- What happens if the input contains duplicates?
- What if the input doesn't fit in memory?
- How would you parallelize this solution?
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Practice DSA ProblemsSample Answer
Problem Analysis
To transform a sorted singly linked list into a balanced binary search tree (BST), we can recognize that the properties of a BST allow us to use a divide-and-conquer strategy. The middle element of th...
Approach
- Find the Middle Node: Utilize the fast and slow pointer method to find the middle of the linked list. The slow pointer moves one step at a time while the fast pointer moves two steps. When the ...
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