Question
Given a sorted ascending integer array `arr`, an integer `k`, and an integer `x`, return the `k` elements closest to `x`, in ascending order. Closeness ties break toward the smaller value (|a-x| < |b-x|, or equal and a < b). 1 <= k <= len(arr). Aim for O(log n + k): binary-search for the best left boundary of the size-k window rather than sorting by distance.
find_closest_elements(arr: list[int], k: int, x: int) → list[int][[1,2,3,4,5],4,3]out[1,2,3,4]State your approach and its time/space complexity out loud before you optimize. Handle the edge cases (empty input, duplicates, overflow), and say why you chose this over the brute force. Green tests are the floor, not the grade.
Vibe coding: describe the solution in plain language (or narrate it) and the coach grades your approach. Generating runnable code from your description is coming next.