How to Solve Fair Distribution of Cookies Leetcode Problem - Interview Coder Guide
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How to Solve Fair Distribution of Cookies Problem

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Medium#1418
LeetCode Problem

Fair Distribution of Cookies

You are given an integer array cookies, where cookies[i] denotes the number of cookies in the ith bag. You are also given an integer k that denotes the number of children to distribute all the bags of...

ArrayDynamic ProgrammingBacktracking+2 more

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Problem Breakdown

Understanding the Fair Distribution of Cookies Problem

Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.

Problem Statement

You are given an integer array cookies, where cookies[i] denotes the number of cookies in the ith bag. You are also given an integer k that denotes the number of children to distribute all the bags of cookies to. All the cookies in the same bag must go to the same child and cannot be split up. The unfairness of a distribution is defined as the maximum total cookies obtained by a single child in the distribution. Return the minimum unfairness of all distributions.

MediumProblem #1418
LeetCode

Fair Distribution of Cookies

Related Topics
ArrayDynamic ProgrammingBacktrackingBit ManipulationBitmask
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Examples

Example 1
INPUT
cookies = [8,15,10,20,8], k = 2
OUTPUT
31
EXPLANATION

One optimal distribution is [8,15,8] and [10,20] - The 1st child receives [8,15,8] which has a total of 8 + 15 + 8 = 31 cookies. - The 2nd child receives [10,20] which has a total of 10 + 20 = 30 cookies. The unfairness of the distribution is max(31,30) = 31. It can be shown that there is no distribution with an unfairness less than 31.

Example 2
INPUT
cookies = [6,1,3,2,2,4,1,2], k = 3
OUTPUT
7
EXPLANATION

One optimal distribution is [6,1], [3,2,2], and [4,1,2] - The 1st child receives [6,1] which has a total of 6 + 1 = 7 cookies. - The 2nd child receives [3,2,2] which has a total of 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 cookies. - The 3rd child receives [4,1,2] which has a total of 4 + 1 + 2 = 7 cookies. The unfairness of the distribution is max(7,7,7) = 7. It can be shown that there is no distribution with an unfairness less than 7.

Constraints

2 <= cookies.length <= 8
1 <= cookies[i] <= 105
2 <= k <= cookies.length

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