Coding questions · MathWorks
Maximize minimum after K decrements
This Coding & Algorithms question evaluates algorithmic problem-solving skills in array manipulation and constrained optimization, testing competency in reasoning about value distribution, large numeric bounds, and performance under tight complexity limits.
You are given an integer array A of length N and an integer K.
You must perform exactly K operations. In each operation, choose any index i and do A[i] = A[i] - 1.
After all K operations, let min(A) be the minimum value in the array. Your goal is to choose the operations to maximize min(A).
Return the maximum possible value of min(A) after exactly K operations.
Input
A: array ofNintegersK: non-negative integer
Output
- An integer: the maximum achievable minimum value.
Notes / Constraints (reasonable for interviews)
1 <= N <= 2e5-1e9 <= A[i] <= 1e90 <= K <= 1e18
Example
A = [5, 1, 7],K = 3- One optimal strategy is to decrement
7three times →[5, 1, 4], somin(A) = 1. - The answer is
1.
- One optimal strategy is to decrement
Maximize Minimum After K Decrements
Perform exactly K decrements on array elements and maximize the final minimum value.
Hints
- First spend decrements on elements above the current minimum; only extra decrements force the minimum lower.