LeetCode 628 Maximum Product of Three Numbers in Python | Easy Coding Tutorial for Beginners
Solve LeetCode 628 "Maximum Product of Three Numbers" in Python with this beginner-friendly coding tutorial! This problem asks you to find three numbers in an integer array whose product is maximum (e.g., nums = [1,2,3,4], return 24). We’ll sort the array and compare the product of the three largest numbers with the product of the two smallest (which could be negative) and the largest number to handle all cases. Perfect for Python learners, coding beginners, or anyone prepping for coding interviews!
🔍 *What You'll Learn:*
Understanding LeetCode 628’s requirements
Sorting an array to find the largest and smallest numbers
Handling positive and negative numbers to maximize the product
Testing with example cases
💻 *Code Used in This Video:*
class Solution(object):
def maximumProduct(self, nums):
"""
:type nums: List[int]
:rtype: int
"""
nums.sort()
return max(nums[-1] * nums[-2] * nums[-3], nums[0] * nums[1] * nums[-1])
Test cases
solution = Solution()
Test case 1: All positive numbers
print(solution.maximumProduct([1, 2, 3])) # Output: 6
Sorted: [1,2,3], max(3*2*1, 1*2*3) = 6
Test case 2: Positive numbers with larger product
print(solution.maximumProduct([1, 2, 3, 4])) # Output: 24
Sorted: [1,2,3,4], max(4*3*2, 1*2*4) = 24
Test case 3: All negative numbers
print(solution.maximumProduct([-1, -2, -3])) # Output: -6
Sorted: [-3,-2,-1], max(-1*-2*-3, -3*-2*-1) = -6
Test case 4: Mix of positive and negative
print(solution.maximumProduct([-4, -3, -2, 1, 60])) # Output: 720
Sorted: [-4,-3,-2,1,60], max(60*1*-2, -4*-3*60) = 720
🌟 *Why Solve LeetCode 628?*
This problem is a great introduction to array manipulation and optimization in Python, a common topic in coding interviews! The sorting solution has a time complexity of O(n log n), but the optimized solution reduces it to O(n) with O(1) space complexity. We’ll explore both approaches to maximize the product, especially when negative numbers are involved. Master this, and you’ll be ready for more advanced LeetCode challenges!
📚 *Who’s This For?*
Python beginners learning coding
Coding enthusiasts tackling LeetCode problems
Developers prepping for technical interviews
👍 Like, subscribe, and comment: What LeetCode problem should we solve next? Next up: More LeetCode array problems—stay tuned!
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