LeetCode #560 — MEDIUM

Subarray Sum Equals K

Move from brute-force thinking to an efficient approach using array strategy.

The Problem

Problem Statement

Given an array of integers nums and an integer k, return the total number of subarrays whose sum equals to k.

A subarray is a contiguous non-empty sequence of elements within an array.

Example 1:

Input: nums = [1,1,1], k = 2
Output: 2

Example 2:

Input: nums = [1,2,3], k = 3
Output: 2

Constraints:

1 <= nums.length <= 2 * 10⁴
-1000 <= nums[i] <= 1000
-10⁷ <= k <= 10⁷

Step 01

Brute Force Baseline

Problem summary: Given an array of integers nums and an integer k, return the total number of subarrays whose sum equals to k. A subarray is a contiguous non-empty sequence of elements within an array.

Baseline thinking

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

Pattern signal: Array · Hash Map

Example 1

[1,1,1]
2

Example 2

[1,2,3]
3

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

Will Brute force work here? Try to optimize it.
Can we optimize it by using some extra space?
What about storing sum frequencies in a hash table? Will it be useful?
sum(i,j)=sum(0,j)-sum(0,i), where sum(i,j) represents the sum of all the elements from index i to j-1. Can we use this property to optimize it.

Interview move: turn each hint into an invariant you can check after every iteration/recursion step.

Step 03

Algorithm Walkthrough

Iteration Checklist

Define state (indices, window, stack, map, DP cell, or recursion frame).
Apply one transition step and update the invariant.
Record answer candidate when condition is met.
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

Upper-end input sizes

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 #560: Subarray Sum Equals K
class Solution {
    public int subarraySum(int[] nums, int k) {
        Map<Integer, Integer> cnt = new HashMap<>();
        cnt.put(0, 1);
        int ans = 0, s = 0;
        for (int x : nums) {
            s += x;
            ans += cnt.getOrDefault(s - k, 0);
            cnt.merge(s, 1, Integer::sum);
        }
        return ans;
    }
}

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #560: Subarray Sum Equals K
func subarraySum(nums []int, k int) (ans int) {
	cnt := map[int]int{0: 1}
	s := 0
	for _, x := range nums {
		s += x
		ans += cnt[s-k]
		cnt[s]++
	}
	return
}

# Accepted solution for LeetCode #560: Subarray Sum Equals K
class Solution:
    def subarraySum(self, nums: List[int], k: int) -> int:
        cnt = Counter({0: 1})
        ans = s = 0
        for x in nums:
            s += x
            ans += cnt[s - k]
            cnt[s] += 1
        return ans

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #560: Subarray Sum Equals K
use std::collections::HashMap;

impl Solution {
    pub fn subarray_sum(nums: Vec<i32>, k: i32) -> i32 {
        let mut cnt = HashMap::new();
        cnt.insert(0, 1);
        let mut ans = 0;
        let mut s = 0;
        for &x in &nums {
            s += x;
            if let Some(&v) = cnt.get(&(s - k)) {
                ans += v;
            }
            *cnt.entry(s).or_insert(0) += 1;
        }
        ans
    }
}

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #560: Subarray Sum Equals K
function subarraySum(nums: number[], k: number): number {
    const cnt: Map<number, number> = new Map();
    cnt.set(0, 1);
    let [ans, s] = [0, 0];
    for (const x of nums) {
        s += x;
        ans += cnt.get(s - k) || 0;
        cnt.set(s, (cnt.get(s) || 0) + 1);
    }
    return ans;
}

Step 06

Interactive Study Demo

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

Custom checkpoints (one per line)

Press Step or Run All to begin.

Step 07

Complexity Analysis

Time

O(n)

Space

O(1)

Approach Breakdown

BRUTE FORCE

O(n²) time

O(1) space

Two nested loops check every pair or subarray. The outer loop fixes a starting point, the inner loop extends or searches. For n elements this gives up to n²/2 operations. No extra space, but the quadratic time is prohibitive for large inputs.

OPTIMIZED

O(n) time

O(1) space

Most array problems have an O(n²) brute force (nested loops) and an O(n) optimal (single pass with clever state tracking). The key is identifying what information to maintain as you scan: a running max, a prefix sum, a hash map of seen values, or two pointers.

Shortcut: If you are using nested loops on an array, there is almost always an O(n) solution. Look for the right auxiliary state.

Coach Notes

Common Mistakes

Review these before coding to avoid predictable interview regressions.

Off-by-one on range boundaries

Wrong move: Loop endpoints miss first/last candidate.

Usually fails on: Fails on minimal arrays and exact-boundary answers.

Fix: Re-derive loops from inclusive/exclusive ranges before coding.

Mutating counts without cleanup

Wrong move: Zero-count keys stay in map and break distinct/count constraints.

Usually fails on: Window/map size checks are consistently off by one.

Fix: Delete keys when count reaches zero.