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Suppose now each cookie can be assigned to multiple children (reusable cookies). Which modification to the original greedy algorithm correctly computes the maximum number of content children?

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Greedy Algorithms - Assign Cookies

Suppose now each cookie can be assigned to multiple children (reusable cookies). Which modification to the original greedy algorithm correctly computes the maximum number of content children?

ASort both arrays and increment both pointers i and j on assignment as before

BUse the brute force nested loops approach to try all assignments since greedy fails with reusable cookies

CSort greed array only and assign the largest cookie to each child without sorting cookies

DKeep sorting arrays, but do not increment cookie pointer j when a cookie is assigned; only increment child pointer i

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand reuse effect
Cookies can be assigned multiple times, so cookie pointer j should not advance on assignment.
Step 2: Modify greedy accordingly
Keep sorting both arrays, but only increment child pointer i when a cookie satisfies a child; j stays to reuse the same cookie.
Final Answer:
Option D -> Option D
Quick Check:
Not incrementing j allows cookie reuse [OK]

Quick Trick: Do not advance cookie pointer on assignment for reuse [OK]

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Incrementing both pointers breaks reuse
Using brute force unnecessarily
Ignoring sorting leads to suboptimal matches

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Naively incrementing cookie pointer breaks reuse assumption, causing undercount.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests ability to adapt greedy logic to problem variants with relaxed constraints.

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