> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mayanktyagi3111.gitbook.io/interview-prep/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mayanktyagi3111.gitbook.io/interview-prep/linked-list/partition-list.md).

# Partition List

Given a linked list and a value *x*, partition it such that all nodes less than *x* come before nodes greater than or equal to *x*.

You should preserve the original relative order of the nodes in each of the two partitions.

**Example:**

```
Input: head = 1->4->3->2->5->2, x = 3
Output: 1->2->2->4->3->5
```

```java
class Solution {
    public ListNode partition(ListNode head, int x) {
        ListNode smallerHead = new ListNode(0), biggerHead = new ListNode(0);
        ListNode smaller = smallerHead, bigger = biggerHead;
        while (head != null) {
            if (head.val < x)
                smaller = smaller.next = head;
            else
                bigger = bigger.next = head;
            head = head.next;
        }
        // no need for extra check because of fake heads
        smaller.next = biggerHead.next; // join bigger after smaller
        bigger.next = null; // cut off anything after bigger
        return smallerHead.next;
    }
}
```


---

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