Greedy Algorithms - Minimum Cost to Connect Sticks
Given the final total cost of 14 for connecting sticks and knowing the sticks were [2, 4, 3], which of the following sequences of merges is consistent with this cost?
Given the final total cost of 14 for connecting sticks and knowing the sticks were [2, 4, 3], which of the following sequences of merges is consistent with this cost?
hard🔄 Reverse Engineer Q9 of Q15
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
Step 1: Calculate total cost for each sequence
Merge 2 and 3 first (cost 5), then merge 5 and 4 (cost 9), total 14: 2+3=5, then 5+4=9, total=5+9=14 matches given cost.Step 2: Verify other options
Others yield totals 15 or 16, inconsistent with given total cost.Final Answer:
Option D -> Option DQuick Check:
Only Merge 2 and 3 first (cost 5), then merge 5 and 4 (cost 9), total 14 matches total cost 14 [OK]
Quick Trick: Sum merge costs stepwise to verify total [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES- Adding costs incorrectly
- Ignoring merge order impact
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL- Candidates often confuse merge order or add costs incorrectly, missing correct sequence.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT- Tests ability to reverse engineer merge sequence from total cost
Master "Minimum Cost to Connect Sticks" in Greedy Algorithms
Want More Practice?
15+ quiz questions · All difficulty levels · Free
Free Signup - Practice All QuestionsMore Greedy Algorithms Quizzes