The Runtime Theory
mediumLeetCode#bst#tree-traversal

Lowest Common Ancestor of a BST

Find the lowest node whose subtree contains both given nodes in a binary search tree.

The Runtime Theory Team25 min read
Solve it

Solving happens on the judge — come back and mark it done

Sample cases

inroot=[6,2,8,0,4,7,9,3,5], p=2, q=8

out6

insame root, p=2, q=4

out2

inroot=[2,1], p=2, q=1

out2

Find the lowest node whose subtree contains both given nodes in a binary search tree.

A good solution should

  • State the invariant or decision rule that makes the approach correct.
  • Explain the time and space complexity in terms of the input sizes and required output.
  • Handle empty, minimal, duplicate, and boundary-shaped inputs covered by the contract.

Reasoning prompt

Use BST ordering to move toward the split point. State whether the contract guarantees both target nodes exist.

Use the linked judge for the canonical problem. The examples above are compact TRT checks; write additional cases before submitting, especially for the boundary that tends to break your chosen invariant.

More practice in this topic

One dispatch a week

The trace behind each problem, the tradeoff that explains it, and one technical dispatch per week — no noise.

One technical dispatch per week. No noise.

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