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HomeLeetCode ProblemsDescribe the Painting
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How to Solve Describe the Painting Problem

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Medium#1943
LeetCode Problem

Describe the Painting

There is a long and thin painting that can be represented by a number line. The painting was painted with multiple overlapping segments where each segment was painted with a unique color. You are given a 2D integer array segments, where segments[i] = [starti, endi, colori] represents the half-closed segment [starti, endi) with colori as the color. The colors in the overlapping segments of the painting were mixed when it was painted. When two or more colors mix, they form a new color that can be represented as a set of mixed colors. For the sake of simplicity, you should only output the sum of the elements in the set rather than the full set. You want to describe the painting with the minimum number of non-overlapping half-closed segments of these mixed colors. These segments can be represented by the 2D array painting where painting[j] = [leftj, rightj, mixj] describes a half-closed segment [leftj, rightj) with the mixed color sum of mixj. Return the 2D array painting describing the finished painting (excluding any parts that are not painted). You may return the segments in any order. A half-closed segment [a, b) is the section of the number line between points a and b including point a and not including point b.

ArrayHash TableSortingPrefix Sum

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Problem Breakdown

Understanding the Describe the Painting Problem

Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.

Problem Statement

There is a long and thin painting that can be represented by a number line. The painting was painted with multiple overlapping segments where each segment was painted with a unique color. You are given a 2D integer array segments, where segments[i] = [starti, endi, colori] represents the half-closed segment [starti, endi) with colori as the color. The colors in the overlapping segments of the painting were mixed when it was painted. When two or more colors mix, they form a new color that can be represented as a set of mixed colors. For the sake of simplicity, you should only output the sum of the elements in the set rather than the full set. You want to describe the painting with the minimum number of non-overlapping half-closed segments of these mixed colors. These segments can be represented by the 2D array painting where painting[j] = [leftj, rightj, mixj] describes a half-closed segment [leftj, rightj) with the mixed color sum of mixj. Return the 2D array painting describing the finished painting (excluding any parts that are not painted). You may return the segments in any order. A half-closed segment [a, b) is the section of the number line between points a and b including point a and not including point b.

MediumProblem #1943
LeetCode

Describe the Painting

Related Topics

ArrayHash TableSortingPrefix Sum

How Phantom Code AI Helps

Get real-time assistance for Describe the Painting problems during coding interviews. Phantom Code AI provides instant solutions and explanations.

Examples

# Example 1

Input
segments = [[1,4,5],[4,7,7],[1,7,9]]
Output
[[1,4,14],[4,7,16]]

# Example 2

Input
segments = [[1,7,9],[6,8,15],[8,10,7]]
Output
[[1,6,9],[6,7,24],[7,8,15],[8,10,7]]

# Example 3

Input
segments = [[1,4,5],[1,4,7],[4,7,1],[4,7,11]]
Output
[[1,4,12],[4,7,12]]

Constraints

1 <= segments.length <= 2 * 104
segments[i].length == 3
1 <= starti < endi <= 105
1 <= colori <= 109
Each colori is distinct.

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Solve Describe the Painting — There is a long and thin painting that can be represented by a number line. The ...

Here's the optimal approach using Array:

def solve(input):
# Optimal O(n) solution
return result

Time: O(n)  |  Space: O(n)

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Undetectability Checklist

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We work with Zoom, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad and other web-based platforms. Check the compatibility note and request a browser link if a specific desktop app is unsupported.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about solving Describe the Painting and using Phantom Code AI during coding interviews.

How does Phantom Code AI help me solve coding problems like Describe the Painting during interviews?
Phantom Code AI generates complete solutions instantly with proper complexity analysis, letting you focus on explaining your approach and demonstrating problem-solving skills rather than getting stuck on implementation details during high-pressure situations.
What if the interviewer asks follow-up questions or modifications to problems like Describe the Painting?
Phantom Code AI adapts in real-time. Screenshot the modified problem or use audio mode to capture the interviewer's follow-up, and get an updated solution within seconds — including edge cases and optimizations.
Can Phantom Code AI help me communicate my solution for problems like Describe the Painting?
Yes. Phantom Code AI provides step-by-step approach explanations with 3 progressive thoughts, so you can walk through your solution naturally. It also provides time and space complexity analysis to discuss trade-offs.
How does Phantom Code AI assist with different programming languages for Describe the Painting type problems?
Phantom Code AI supports 11 programming languages including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, and C#. Set your preferred language and get idiomatic solutions.
What coding mistakes does Phantom Code AI help me avoid during Describe the Painting interviews?
Phantom Code AI catches common mistakes like off-by-one errors, missing edge cases, incorrect base conditions, and suboptimal approaches. It provides clean, well-structured code that handles all edge cases.
Is Phantom Code AI detectable when solving problems like Describe the Painting during live interviews?
No. Phantom Code AI runs as an invisible desktop overlay that doesn't appear in screen shares, recordings, or proctoring software. It works with Zoom, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and all major platforms.
How does Phantom Code AI help when I'm struggling with Describe the Painting style questions under pressure?
The AI provides structured guidance: first the approach (what algorithm/data structure to use and why), then the implementation with clean code, and finally complexity analysis. This helps you think clearly even under pressure.
Does Phantom Code AI work for the coding platforms used in Describe the Painting interviews?
Yes. Phantom Code AI works with all major coding platforms including LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, HackerEarth, and any browser-based coding environment.
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