Add two numbers(reverse order) link list Problem - Leet Code Solution

Problem Statement

You are given two non-empty linked lists representing two non-negative integers. The digits are stored in reverse order and each of their nodes contain a single digit. Add the two numbers and return it as a linked list.

You may assume the two numbers do not contain any leading zero, except the number 0 itself.

Example:

Input: (2 -> 4 -> 3) + (5 -> 6 -> 4)
Output: 7 -> 0 -> 8
Explanation: 342 + 465 = 807.

Solution

private static ListNode addTwoNumbersHelper(ListNode l1, ListNode l2, int carry) { 
    if (l1 == null && l2 == null && carry == 0) {
        return null;
    }

    int sum = carry;
    if (l1 != null) { sum += l1.val; }
    if (l2 != null) { sum += l2.val; }

    if (sum > 9) { 
        sum = sum - 10;
        carry = 1; 
    }
    else {
        carry = 0;
    }

    ListNode newNode = new ListNode(sum);
    newNode.next = addTwoNumbersHelper(l1 != null ? l1.next : null, l2 != null ? l2.next : null, carry);
    return newNode;
}
public static ListNode addTwoNumbers(ListNode l1, ListNode l2) {
    return addTwoNumbersHelper(l1, l2, 0);
}

Explanation

This problem is rather simple. Since, the number is represented as link list in reverse order. i.e. the first node represent the last digit of a number. So, you can just started adding number as you traverse the two link list.

• Start with iterating both link list.
• take sum of two nodes, and carry if previously set.
• If the sum is more than single digit, set the carry.
• Now, new sum is our new node.
• Since, it will be last digit in the result number, and will be first node in link list.
• Its next pointer will be the one which will come out in next round of sum.
• So, we simply set its next and call same method in recursive manner. Which will again goes in recursive mode untill all link list is exhausted.
• And, we get our link list as sum.