Dynamic Programming: Knapsack - Coin Change (Minimum Coins)
Consider the same code snippet for coin change minimum coins. What is the returned value when coins = [2] and amount = 0?
Consider the same code snippet for coin change minimum coins. What is the returned value when coins = [2] and amount = 0?
medium🧾 Code Trace Q4 of Q15
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
Step 1: Check base case dp[0]
dp[0] is initialized to 0, meaning zero coins needed for amount zero.Step 2: No iterations since amount=0
Loop does not run; dp[0] remains 0 and is returned.Final Answer:
Option D -> Option DQuick Check:
Amount zero requires zero coins [OK]
Quick Trick: Amount zero -> zero coins needed [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES- Returning -1 for zero amount
- Misunderstanding base case initialization
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL- Some candidates forget dp[0]=0 base case and return -1 or infinity incorrectly.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT- Tests understanding of base case handling and boundary conditions in DP.
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