LeetCode #1373 — HARD

Maximum Sum BST in Binary Tree

Break down a hard problem into reliable checkpoints, edge-case handling, and complexity trade-offs.

Solve on LeetCode
The Problem

Problem Statement

Given a binary tree root, return the maximum sum of all keys of any sub-tree which is also a Binary Search Tree (BST).

Assume a BST is defined as follows:

  • The left subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys less than the node's key.
  • The right subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys greater than the node's key.
  • Both the left and right subtrees must also be binary search trees.

Example 1:

Input: root = [1,4,3,2,4,2,5,null,null,null,null,null,null,4,6]
Output: 20
Explanation: Maximum sum in a valid Binary search tree is obtained in root node with key equal to 3.

Example 2:

Input: root = [4,3,null,1,2]
Output: 2
Explanation: Maximum sum in a valid Binary search tree is obtained in a single root node with key equal to 2.

Example 3:

Input: root = [-4,-2,-5]
Output: 0
Explanation: All values are negatives. Return an empty BST.

Constraints:

  • The number of nodes in the tree is in the range [1, 4 * 104].
  • -4 * 104 <= Node.val <= 4 * 104
Patterns Used

Roadmap

  1. Brute Force Baseline
  2. Core Insight
  3. Algorithm Walkthrough
  4. Edge Cases
  5. Full Annotated Code
  6. Interactive Study Demo
  7. Complexity Analysis
Step 01

Brute Force Baseline

Problem summary: Given a binary tree root, return the maximum sum of all keys of any sub-tree which is also a Binary Search Tree (BST). Assume a BST is defined as follows: The left subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys less than the node's key. The right subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys greater than the node's key. Both the left and right subtrees must also be binary search trees.

Baseline thinking

Start with the most direct exhaustive search. That gives a correctness anchor before optimizing.

Pattern signal: Dynamic Programming · Tree

Example 1

[1,4,3,2,4,2,5,null,null,null,null,null,null,4,6]

Example 2

[4,3,null,1,2]

Example 3

[-4,-2,-5]
Step 02

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

  • Create a datastructure with 4 parameters: (sum, isBST, maxLeft, minRight).
  • In each node compute theses parameters, following the conditions of a Binary Search Tree.
Interview move: turn each hint into an invariant you can check after every iteration/recursion step.
Step 03

Algorithm Walkthrough

Iteration Checklist

  1. Define state (indices, window, stack, map, DP cell, or recursion frame).
  2. Apply one transition step and update the invariant.
  3. Record answer candidate when condition is met.
  4. Continue until all input is consumed.
Use the first example testcase as your mental trace to verify each transition.
Step 04

Edge Cases

Minimum Input
Single element / shortest valid input
Validate boundary behavior before entering the main loop or recursion.
Duplicates & Repeats
Repeated values / repeated states
Decide whether duplicates should be merged, skipped, or counted explicitly.
Extreme Constraints
Largest constraint values
Re-check complexity target against constraints to avoid time-limit issues.
Invalid / Corner Shape
Empty collections, zeros, or disconnected structures
Handle special-case structure before the core algorithm path.
Step 05

Full Annotated Code

Source-backed implementations are provided below for direct study and interview prep.

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #1373: Maximum Sum BST in Binary Tree
/**
 * Definition for a binary tree node.
 * public class TreeNode {
 *     int val;
 *     TreeNode left;
 *     TreeNode right;
 *     TreeNode() {}
 *     TreeNode(int val) { this.val = val; }
 *     TreeNode(int val, TreeNode left, TreeNode right) {
 *         this.val = val;
 *         this.left = left;
 *         this.right = right;
 *     }
 * }
 */
class Solution {
    private int ans;
    private final int inf = 1 << 30;

    public int maxSumBST(TreeNode root) {
        dfs(root);
        return ans;
    }

    private int[] dfs(TreeNode root) {
        if (root == null) {
            return new int[] {1, inf, -inf, 0};
        }
        var l = dfs(root.left);
        var r = dfs(root.right);
        int v = root.val;
        if (l[0] == 1 && r[0] == 1 && l[2] < v && r[1] > v) {
            int s = v + l[3] + r[3];
            ans = Math.max(ans, s);
            return new int[] {1, Math.min(l[1], v), Math.max(r[2], v), s};
        }
        return new int[4];
    }
}
Step 06

Interactive Study Demo

Use this to step through a reusable interview workflow for this problem.

Press Step or Run All to begin.
Step 07

Complexity Analysis

Time
O(n)
Space
O(n)

Approach Breakdown

RECURSIVE
O(2ⁿ) time
O(n) space

Pure recursion explores every possible choice at each step. With two choices per state (take or skip), the decision tree has 2ⁿ leaves. The recursion stack uses O(n) space. Many subproblems are recomputed exponentially many times.

DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING
O(n × m) time
O(n × m) space

Each cell in the DP table is computed exactly once from previously solved subproblems. The table dimensions determine both time and space. Look for the state variables — each unique combination of state values is one cell. Often a rolling array can reduce space by one dimension.

Shortcut: Count your DP state dimensions → that’s your time. Can you drop one? That’s your space optimization.
Coach Notes

Common Mistakes

Review these before coding to avoid predictable interview regressions.

State misses one required dimension

Wrong move: An incomplete state merges distinct subproblems and caches incorrect answers.

Usually fails on: Correctness breaks on cases that differ only in hidden state.

Fix: Define state so each unique subproblem maps to one DP cell.

Forgetting null/base-case handling

Wrong move: Recursive traversal assumes children always exist.

Usually fails on: Leaf nodes throw errors or create wrong depth/path values.

Fix: Handle null/base cases before recursive transitions.