Problem Statement

Given a non-negative integer num, return the maximum number, which you can create by swapping any two digits of the number only once. If no swaps can improve the number, return the original number.

Examples

1. Example 1:

   • Input: 2736
   • Expected Output: 7236
   • Justification: Swapping the first and second digits (2 and 7) results in the largest possible number.

2. Example 2:

   • Input: 9965
   • Expected Output: 9965
   • Justification: The number is already in its maximum form, so no swap is needed.

3. Example 3:

   • Input: 7281912
   • Expected Output: 9281712
   • Justification: Swapping the first digit (7) with the first 9 found from the left results in the maximum number.

Solution

To solve this problem, the approach revolves around identifying the most significant digit that can be increased by a swap. We traverse the number from right to left, identifying the largest digit seen so far and its index. This is because a larger digit appearing later in the number, when swapped with a smaller digit to its left, will yield a greater value. The key is to find the leftmost digit for which a larger digit exists anywhere to its right. Swapping these two digits will result in the maximum possible number. This approach is effective as it minimizes the swaps and ensures the largest digit possible in the highest place value.

Step-by-Step Algorithm

1. Convert the given number into an array of its digits for easier manipulation.

2. Prepare the maxIndexAfter Array:

   • Initialize an array maxIndexAfter to record the index of the maximum digit found to the right of each digit (including itself).
   • Traverse the digit array from right to left.
   • Update maxIndexAfter for each position with the index of the largest digit seen so far.

3. Perform the Swap:

   • Traverse the digits array from left to right.
   • If digits[i] and digits[maxIndexAfter[i]] are not same, swap both elements.
   • After the first swap, break the loop.

4. Reconstruct the Number: Convert the digit array back into a single integer.

5. Return the Result: Provide the modified number as the output.

Algorithm Walkthrough

Consider the Input 7281912.

1. Initialization:

   • Convert to digit array: [7, 2, 8, 1, 9, 1, 2].
   • Initialize maxIndexAfter array with the same length as the digit array.

2. Preparing the maxIndexAfter Array:

   • Start from the rightmost digit.
   • Iteration 1 (Index 6): Digit 2, maxIndexAfter[6] = 6.
   • Iteration 2 (Index 5): Digit 1, maxIndexAfter[5] = 6 (as 2 is the maximum seen so far).
   • Iteration 3 (Index 4): Digit 9, maxIndexAfter[4] = 4.
   • Continue updating maxIndexAfter for each digit.
   • Final maxIndexAfter array: [4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6].

3. Performing the Swap:

   • Traverse from left to right.
   • Iteration 1 (Index 0): Digit 7, compare with maxIndexAfter[0] (digit at index 4 which is 9), so swap them.
   • As soon as the first swap opportunity is found, break the loop.
   • Array after swap: [9, 2, 8, 1, 7, 1, 2].

4. Reconstructing the Number:

   • Convert array back to number: 9281712.

5. Returning the Result:

   • Return 9281712.

Code