Search⌘ K
AI Features

Solution: Insert into a Sorted Circular Linked List

Explore how to insert a new value into a sorted circular linked list that may start from any node. This lesson teaches you to use two-pointer traversal to find the correct insertion point while handling edge cases like wrapping from max to min and identical node values. You will gain skills to perform efficient in-place linked list manipulations preserving sort order.

Statement

You’re given a reference to a node, head, in a circular linked list, where the values are sorted in non-decreasing order. The list is circular, so the last node points to the first node. However, the head can be any node in the list—it is not guaranteed to be the node with the smallest value.

Your task is to insert a new value, insertVal, into the list so that it remains sorted and circular after the insertion.

  • You can choose any of the multiple valid spots where the value can be inserted while maintaining the sort order.

  • If the list is empty (i.e., the given node is NULL), create a new circular list with a single node containing insertVal, and return that node.

  • Otherwise, return the head node after insertion.

Constraints:

  • The number of nodes in the list is in the range [0,103][0, 10^3].

  • 103-10^3 \leq Node.val, insertVal 103\leq 10^3 ...