Set Matrix Zeroes

MediumMath & Geometry

Asked byMicrosoftAmazonFacebookAppleBloomberg

Problem

Given an m x n matrix, if an element is 0, set its entire row and column to 0, and do this in place.

Examples

Example 1

Input:matrix = [[1,1,1],[1,0,1],[1,1,1]]

Output:[[1,0,1],[0,0,0],[1,0,1]]

Constraints

1 <= m, n <= 200

Solve it in the editor. Sign in free to run your Python or JavaScript against test cases, get a verdict, and track your attempts.

Solve on FeatCode →

How to approach it: the Math & Geometry pattern

A grab-bag of problems solved with numeric or coordinate reasoning rather than a specific data structure — matrix manipulation, simulation, and basic number theory.

Look for this pattern when

The problem operates on a 2-D grid or matrix directly (rotate, transpose, traverse in a pattern).
There's no obvious "textbook" data structure — the problem is really about careful step-by-step simulation.

Read the full Math & Geometry guide →

Video walkthroughs

Original problem on LeetCode ↗