[Solved] Given the function below, what is the output of rangeBitwiseAnd(10, 15)? def rangeBitwiseAnd(left: int, right: int) -> int: shift = 0 while left != right: left >>= 1 right >>= 1 shift += 1 return left | Bit Manipulation

Bit Manipulation - Bitwise AND of Numbers Range

Given the function below, what is the output of rangeBitwiseAnd(10, 15)?

def rangeBitwiseAnd(left: int, right: int) -> int:
    shift = 0
    while left != right:
        left >>= 1
        right >>= 1
        shift += 1
    return left << shift

A10

B8

C0

D15

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Right shift until equal
Shift left=10 (1010) and right=15 (1111) right until equal:
10(1010) -> 5(0101), 15(1111) -> 7(0111), shift=1
5 != 7, shift again:
5(0101) -> 2(0010), 7(0111) -> 3(0011), shift=2
2 != 3, shift again:
2(0010) -> 1(0001), 3(0011) -> 1(0001), shift=3
Step 2: Left shift back
Now left=1, shift=3, so result = 1 << 3 = 8
Final Answer:
Option B -> Option B
Quick Check:
Check binary prefixes match after shifts [OK]

Quick Trick: Shift until equal, then shift back [OK]

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Returning left or right without shifting back
Stopping shifts too early
Confusing bitwise AND with bitwise OR

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Forgetting to shift back leads to incorrect smaller values.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests ability to trace bitwise AND range algorithm step-by-step.

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More Bit Manipulation Quizzes

Given the function below, what is the output of rangeBitwiseAnd(10, 15)?

Step 1: Right shift until equal

Step 2: Left shift back

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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