Patrones de Búsqueda Binaria
Classic Binary Search - A Quick Review
Binary search halves the search space each step. On a sorted array of n elements it finds a target in O(log n) time.
def binary_search(nums, target):
lo, hi = 0, len(nums) - 1
while lo <= hi:
mid = (lo + hi) // 2
if nums[mid] == target:
return mid
elif nums[mid] < target:
lo = mid + 1
else:
hi = mid - 1
return -1
Simple - but the real power of binary search goes far beyond sorted arrays.
The Search Space Concept
Binary search works whenever you have a monotonic condition over a range. The "array" doesn't even need to exist - you just need a range [lo, hi] and a function that flips from False to True (or vice versa) at some boundary.
Search space: [lo .................. hi]
Condition: F F F F T T T T
^-- answer
Binary Search on Answer
Instead of searching an array, search the answer space. Ask: "Can I achieve result X?" If yes, try smaller; if no, try larger.
Example: Koko Eating Bananas
Koko has n piles of bananas and h hours. Find the minimum eating speed so she finishes in time.
def min_speed(piles, h):
lo, hi = 1, max(piles)
while lo < hi:
mid = (lo + hi) // 2
hours = sum((p + mid - 1) // mid for p in piles)
if hours <= h:
hi = mid # speed works, try slower
else:
lo = mid + 1 # too slow, go faster
return lo
The answer space is [1, max(piles)] and the condition is monotonic - higher speed always means fewer hours.
Rotated Sorted Array
A sorted array rotated at some pivot: [4, 5, 6, 7, 0, 1, 2]. One half is always sorted. Compare mid with lo to decide which half, then check if the target falls in the sorted half.
[4, 5, 6, 7, 0, 1, 2]
L M R
Left half [4..7] is sorted.
Target 1 not in [4..7] → search right.
In a rotated sorted array [3,4,5,1,2], which half is sorted when mid=2 (value 5)?
First and Last Occurrence
To find the first occurrence, when you hit the target, don't stop - set hi = mid and keep searching left. For the last, set lo = mid + 1 and search right.
This pair of searches also gives you the count of a target: last - first + 1.
Peak Element
An element larger than both neighbours. Even in an unsorted array, binary search works: if nums[mid] < nums[mid + 1], the peak is to the right; otherwise it's to the left. O(log n).
Search in a 2D Matrix
If rows are sorted and the first element of each row is greater than the last of the previous, treat the matrix as a single sorted array of m × n elements. Map index k to row k // n, column k % n.
Square Root Without a Library
Find the largest integer x where x * x ≤ n. Search space: [0, n]. Classic binary search on answer.
def sqrt(n):
lo, hi = 0, n
while lo <= hi:
mid = (lo + hi) // 2
if mid * mid <= n:
lo = mid + 1
else:
hi = mid - 1
return hi
The "Minimise the Maximum" Pattern
Problems like "split array largest sum" or "capacity to ship packages within D days" ask you to minimise the worst case. The answer is monotonic: if capacity C works, so does C+1. Binary search on C.
For 'Capacity to Ship Packages in D Days', what is the search space for binary search?
The Universal Template
lo, hi = min_possible, max_possible
while lo < hi:
mid = (lo + hi) // 2
if condition(mid):
hi = mid # mid works, try smaller
else:
lo = mid + 1 # mid fails, need larger
return lo
Adjust hi = mid vs lo = mid depending on whether you seek the first True or last True.
What is the time complexity of binary search on an answer space of size S with an O(n) feasibility check?
📚 Further Reading
- NeetCode - Binary Search playlist - curated problems from easy to hard
- Tech Interview Handbook - Binary Search - patterns, tips and pitfalls
- LeetCode Binary Search study plan - progressive problem set