What is the best approach to solve Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array?

The optimal approach for Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array is the "Optimal — Binary Search" technique. It runs in O(log n) time and uses O(1) space. If nums[mid] > nums[hi], the minimum is in the right half (lo = mid+1). Otherwise it's in the left half including mid (hi = mid). When lo == hi, that's the minimum.

What is the time complexity of Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array?

The optimal solution for Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array has a time complexity of O(log n) and a space complexity of O(1), achieved using the Binary Search pattern.

Is Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array a Medium LeetCode problem?

Yes, LeetCode #153 (Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array) is rated Medium. It uses the Binary Search pattern and is commonly asked in interviews at Amazon, Microsoft, Bloomberg.

How to solve Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array in Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript?

LumiChats provides complete solutions for Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array in Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript, along with step-by-step visual animations and time/space complexity analysis. All solutions are free to view.

#153MediumBinary Search

Find Minimum in Rotated Sorted Array

Binary search on the inflection point of a rotated sorted array.

AmazonMicrosoftBloombergUber

Problem Statement

Suppose an array of length n sorted in ascending order is rotated between 1 and n times. Given the array nums after rotation, return the minimum element. You must write an algorithm that runs in O(log n) time.

Examples

Example 1

Input:nums = [3,4,5,1,2]

Output:1

Example 2

Input:nums = [4,5,6,7,0,1,2]

Output:0

Constraints

n == nums.length
1 ≤ n ≤ 5000
−5000 ≤ nums[i] ≤ 5000
All integers in nums are unique.

Solutions

Linear Scan

TimeO(n)SpaceO(1)

Scan the array and return the minimum. O(n). Doesn't use the sorted property.

Visual Animation

def findMin(nums: list[int]) -> int:
    return min(nums)

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