Third Maximum Number

Given a non-empty array of integers, return the third maximum number in this array. If it does not exist, return the maximum number. The time complexity must be in O(n).

Example 1:

Input: [3, 2, 1]

Output: 1

Explanation: The third maximum is 1.

Example 2:

Input: [1, 2]

Output: 2

Explanation: The third maximum does not exist, so the maximum (2) is returned instead.

Example 3:

Input: [2, 2, 3, 1]

Output: 1

Explanation: Note that the third maximum here means the third maximum distinct number.
Both numbers with value 2 are both considered as second maximum.

Solution:

public class Solution {
    public int thirdMax(int[] nums) {
        Integer first=null, second=null, third=null;
        for(Integer n : nums){
            if(n.equals(first) || n.equals(second) || n.equals(third)) continue;
            if(first==null || n>first){
                third = second;
                second = first;
                first = n;
            } else if(second==null || n>second){
                third = second;
                second = n;
            } else if(third==null || n>third){
                third = n;
            }
        }
        return third==null ? first : third;
    }
}
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