#0224

Merge Overlapping Intervals

MediumPython25 min20 XP

Problem

Given intervals [start, end], return merged intervals sorted by start. Treat touching intervals as mergeable.

Why This Matters

Interval merging appears in calendars, bookings, logs, timelines, and scheduling systems.

Function Signature

def merge_intervals(intervals):

Examples

Example 1

Input[[1, 3], [2, 6], [8, 10], [10, 12]]

Output[[1, 6], [8, 12]]

[1,3] overlaps [2,6], and [8,10] touches [10,12].

Constraints

Return the exact requested value.
Handle edge cases cleanly.
Prefer readable Python before micro-optimizing.

CodePython

def merge_intervals(intervals):
    """
    Input example: [[1, 3], [2, 6], [8, 10], [10, 12]]
    Return: [[1, 6], [8, 12]]
    Return the value from the function so the tests can compare it. Do not print unless the prompt asks.
    """
    # write your code here
    return []

def merge_intervals(intervals):
    """
    Input example: [[1, 3], [2, 6], [8, 10], [10, 12]]
    Return: [[1, 6], [8, 12]]
    Return the value from the function so the tests can compare it. Do not print unless the prompt asks.
    """
    # write your code here
    return []

Visible browser tests run here when available.

Testcases1 visible / 3 hidden categories

Core example

Input[[1, 3], [2, 6], [8, 10], [10, 12]]

Expected[[1, 6], [8, 12]]

[1,3] overlaps [2,6], and [8,10] touches [10,12].

Hidden Test Categories

empty listalready separated intervalsnested intervals