The Runtime Theory
hardLeetCode#heap#sweep-line

Minimum Interval to Include Each Query

For each query, return the length of its smallest containing interval or -1.

The Runtime Theory Team25 min read
Solve it

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

Sample cases

inintervals=[[1,4],[2,4],[3,6],[4,4]], queries=[2,3,4,5]

out[3,3,1,4]

inintervals=[[2,3],[2,5],[1,8],[20,25]], queries=[2,19,5,22]

out[2,-1,4,6]

inintervals=[], queries=[1]

out[-1]

For each query, return the length of its smallest containing interval or -1.

A good solution should

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

Reasoning prompt

Sort intervals and queries, maintaining eligible intervals in a min-heap by length while removing expired candidates.

Use the linked judge for the canonical challenge. The examples above are compact TRT checks; create additional tests around the boundary most likely to break your 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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