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Consider the following Python function implementing the backtracking solution for Combination Sum II. What will be the output when candidates = [2,3,3] and target = 6?

easy🧾 Trace Q3 of Q15

Subsets & Combinations - Combination Sum II (No Reuse, Duplicates)

Consider the following Python function implementing the backtracking solution for Combination Sum II. What will be the output when candidates = [2,3,3] and target = 6?

A[[2,2,2]]

B[[2,3]]

C[[3,3]]

D[[3,3], [2,2,2]]

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Sort candidates
Sorted candidates are [2,3,3].
Step 2: Backtracking to find combinations summing to 6
Possible unique combinations without reuse are [3,3] and [2,3] (sum 5), [2,2,2] (sum 6 but 2 repeated thrice, which is invalid as each number used once).
Step 3: Validate sums
Only [3,3] sums exactly to 6 using each candidate once.
Final Answer:
Option C -> Option C
Quick Check:
Sum of [3,3] is 6 and no duplicates beyond input count [OK]

Quick Trick: Check sums and usage count carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Assuming [2,2,2] is valid despite candidate count
Including combinations that don't sum to target
Ignoring duplicate skipping logic

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Option D looks plausible but [2,2,2] is invalid due to candidate count limits.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests understanding of candidate usage limits and backtracking output.

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