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The following code attempts to implement the optimal car pooling solution. Which line contains a subtle bug that can cause incorrect capacity checks?

medium🐞 Bug Identification Q14 of Q15
Intervals - Car Pooling
The following code attempts to implement the optimal car pooling solution. Which line contains a subtle bug that can cause incorrect capacity checks?
def carPooling(trips, capacity):
    max_location = 0
    for _, start, end in trips:
        max_location = max(max_location, end)
    diff = [0] * (max_location + 1)
    for num, start, end in trips:
        diff[start] += num
        diff[end] += num  # Bug here
    current_passengers = 0
    for i in range(max_location + 1):
        current_passengers += diff[i]
        if current_passengers > capacity:
            return false
    return true
ALine that increments diff[end] by num instead of decrementing
BLine that updates max_location in the first loop
CLine that increments diff[start] by num
DLine that checks if current_passengers exceeds capacity
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
  1. Step 1: Understand difference array updates

    Passengers boarding at start location increase count; passengers leaving at end location must decrease count.
  2. Step 2: Identify incorrect update

    Line incrementing diff[end] by num adds passengers instead of removing them, causing incorrect capacity calculation.
  3. Final Answer:

    Option A -> Option A
  4. Quick Check:

    Increment at end location breaks capacity tracking [OK]
Quick Trick: End location must decrement passengers, not increment [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Incrementing instead of decrementing at end
  • Forgetting to update difference array
  • Checking capacity before summing passengers
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Incrementing at end looks symmetric but breaks the logic of passenger count changes.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests ability to spot subtle off-by-one or sign bugs in event processing code.
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