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Solution: Kth Smallest Element in a Sorted Matrix

Explore how to find the kth smallest element in an n×n sorted matrix by leveraging the K-way merge pattern. Understand using a min-heap to merge rows as sorted arrays and efficiently extract the kth element while managing time and space complexity.

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Statement

Find the kthk^{th} smallest element in an (n×n)(n \times n) matrix, where each row and column of the matrix is sorted in ascending order.

Although there can be repeating values in the matrix, each element is considered unique and, therefore, contributes to calculating the kthk^{th} smallest element.

Constraints:

  • n ==== matrix.length
  • n ==== matrix[i].length
  • 1≤1\leq n ≤100\leq100
  • −103≤-10^3\leq
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