[Solved] You have 2n candidates and must assign exactly n to city A and n to city B to minimize total travel cost.... Which algorithmic pattern best fits this problem? | Greedy Algorithms

Greedy Algorithms - Two City Scheduling

You have 2n candidates and must assign exactly n to city A and n to city B to minimize total travel cost. Each candidate has a different cost for each city. Which algorithmic pattern best fits this problem?

ADynamic programming with subset sums to balance assignments

BGraph maximum flow to find minimum cost matching

CGreedy approach sorting by cost difference between cities

DBacktracking all possible assignments to find minimum cost

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Identify problem constraints
Must assign exactly n people to each city minimizing total cost, costs differ per person and city.
Step 2: Recognize pattern
Sorting by cost difference and assigning first n to city A and rest to city B is a classic greedy pattern for balanced assignment problems.
Final Answer:
Option C -> Option C
Quick Check:
Greedy sorting by cost difference fits perfectly [OK]

Quick Trick: Sort by cost difference to assign optimally [OK]

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Thinking DP is needed for balanced assignment
Confusing with max flow problems
Trying brute force without pruning

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Many candidates jump to DP or graph algorithms, missing the greedy insight.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests candidate's ability to recognize greedy pattern from problem description

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More Greedy Algorithms Quizzes

Which algorithmic pattern best fits this problem?

Step 1: Identify problem constraints

Step 2: Recognize pattern

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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