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Solution: Kth Smallest Element in a Sorted Matrix

Explore the method to find the kth smallest element in an n x n sorted matrix by treating rows as sorted lists and using a min-heap to merge them. Understand how to implement the algorithm with priority queues and analyze its time and space complexity.

We'll cover the following...

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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