DENSE_RANK handles ties: SELECT salary FROM (SELECT salary, DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY salary DESC) AS rk FROM employees) t WHERE rk = 3. Subquery MAX approach: nested 3 levels. **Why DENSE_RANK**: Ties get same rank; RANK skips (two 2nd → next is 4th). **Edge case**: Fewer than 3 distinct salaries returns empty....
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