Knowledge Guide
HomeDSADynamic Programming

Longest Bitonic Subsequence

Problem Statement

Given a number sequence, find the length of its Longest Bitonic Subsequence (LBS). A subsequence is considered bitonic if it is monotonically increasing and then monotonically decreasing.

Example 1:

Input: {4,2,3,6,10,1,12}
Output: 5
Explanation: The LBS is {2,3,6,10,1}.

Example 2:

Input: {4,2,5,9,7,6,10,3,1}
Output: 7
Explanation: The LBS is {4,5,9,7,6,3,1}.

Try it yourself

Try solving this question here:

java
class Solution {

  public int findLBSLength(int[] nums) {
    int maxLength = 0;
    //TODO: Write - Your - Code
    return maxLength;
  }
}
🤖 Don't fully get this? Learn it with Claude

Stuck on Longest Bitonic Subsequence? Open Claude, copy a block below, and it'll teach you this exact concept — visually and interactively.

🎨 Explain it visually

Build the mental picture, not memorization.

I just read a lesson on **Longest Bitonic Subsequence** (DSA) and want to truly understand it. Explain Longest Bitonic Subsequence from first principles using ONE vivid real-world analogy and a visual mental model — draw it as ASCII art or a clear step-by-step diagram — with a concrete example using real numbers. Then ask me one question to check I got the mental picture, and wait for my reply. If you're unsure or a claim isn't standard, say so and reason from first principles instead of guessing.
🤔 Walk me through it (interactive)

Socratic — adapts to where you're stuck.

Teach me **Longest Bitonic Subsequence** interactively. Ask me ONE guiding question at a time, wait for my answer, and adapt to my confusion — build the idea with me step by step instead of explaining it all at once. If you're unsure or a claim isn't standard, say so and reason from first principles instead of guessing.
🧪 Quiz me & fix my gaps

Active recall exposes what you missed.

Quiz me on **Longest Bitonic Subsequence** with 5 questions, easy to tricky, ONE at a time. Tell me if each answer is right; at the end, explain clearly what I got wrong and why. If you're unsure or a claim isn't standard, say so and reason from first principles instead of guessing.
🧠 Make it stick

Intuition + hook + flashcards for long-term memory.

Help me remember **Longest Bitonic Subsequence** for the long term: give the one-sentence intuition, a memorable hook/mnemonic, a tiny worked example, and 3 active-recall flashcards (Q -> A). If you're unsure or a claim isn't standard, say so and reason from first principles instead of guessing.

📝 My notes