Mohit Raut’s Post

💡 Day 99 of My DSA Challenge – Split Array Largest Sum 🔷 Problem: 410. Split Array Largest Sum 🔷 Goal: Split the array into k non-empty subarrays such that the largest subarray sum is as small as possible. 🔷 Key Insight: This is a classic Binary Search on the Answer problem — the goal isn’t to find a position, but the minimum possible value of the largest subarray sum. Here’s how: The lower bound of our search space is the maximum element in the array (a subarray must at least handle this value). The upper bound is the total sum of the array (one subarray takes all elements). For each mid (possible largest sum), we simulate how many subarrays are needed. If we need more than k, it means our mid is too small → move right. Else, we can try smaller sums → move left. 🔷 My Java Approach: 1️⃣ Define helper isPossible() to simulate how many subarrays form under a max limit. 2️⃣ Apply Binary Search on range [max(nums), sum(nums)]. 3️⃣ Narrow down to the smallest feasible largest sum. 🔷 Complexity: Time → O(n × log(sum(nums))) Space → O(1) This problem is a perfect blend of binary search intuition + greedy validation. It pushes you to think beyond array indices — to apply binary search to ranges of answers instead. Every problem like this sharpens both algorithmic depth and logical structure. 🚀 #100DaysOfCode #Day99 #LeetCode #DSA #Java #ProblemSolving #BinarySearch #CodingChallenge #Programming #LearnToCode #CodingLife #SoftwareEngineering #Algorithms #DataStructures #TechJourney #CodeEveryday #EngineerMindset #DeveloperJourney #GrowthMindset #CodeNewbie #KeepLearning #ApnaCollege #AlphaBatch #ShraddhaKhapra

🔥 Day 108 of My DSA Challenge – Merge Sorted Array 🔷 Problem : 88. Merge Sorted Array 🔷 Goal : Merge two sorted arrays into one sorted array in-place inside nums1. The tricky part? nums1 already has extra space at the end — and we need to fill it without using extra arrays. 🔷 Key Insight : Use the two-pointer technique starting from the end — this avoids overwriting values in nums1. Pointer p1 → end of valid elements in nums1 Pointer p2 → end of nums2 Pointer idx → last index in final merged array Place the largest element first by comparing from the end. 🔷 Approach : 1️⃣ Start from the last elements of both arrays 2️⃣ Compare and place the greater one at the end 3️⃣ Move pointers backwards 4️⃣ If nums2 still has elements, copy them This gives us O(m + n) time and O(1) extra space ✅ Sometimes the most elegant solutions are not about building new structures but smartly reusing what you already have. Two-pointer technique continues to be a powerful tool in array problems 💪 #Day108 #100DaysOfCode #LeetCode #DSA #Java #TwoPointers #Arrays #CodingChallenge #Algorithm #InPlaceAlgorithms #ProblemSolving #Programming #SoftwareEngineering #TechJourney #DeveloperJourney #CodeEveryday #LearnDSA #GrowthMindset #EngineerMindset #LogicBuilding

Day 55 of My DSA Challenge Problem: Count the number of triplets in an array that can form a valid triangle. Concept Recap: For any three sides to form a triangle, the sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side. Optimized Approach: Instead of checking every triplet (which takes O(N³)), I sorted the array and used a two-pointer technique to bring it down to O(N²): Sort the array. Fix the largest side (arr[k]) and use two pointers (i, j) to find pairs where arr[i] + arr[j] > arr[k]. If the condition holds, all elements between i and j can form valid triangles. Count and move pointers accordingly. Time Complexity: O(N²) Space Complexity: O(1) Takeaway: Sorting combined with the two-pointer approach often transforms brute-force solutions into elegant and efficient ones. #Day55 #DSAChallenge #TwoPointerTechnique #Sorting #Optimization #Java #ProblemSolving #DataStructures #Algorithms #CodingChallenge #GeeksforGeeks #LeetCode #100DaysOfCode #ProgrammersJourney #TechLearning

📌 Day 8/100 - Search Insert Position (LeetCode 35) 🔹 Problem: Given a sorted array and a target value, return the index if the target is found. If not, return the index where it would be inserted in order. 🔹 Approach: I used a binary search approach for efficiency 🔍 1️⃣ Start with two pointers — low and high. 2️⃣ Find the mid index and compare nums[mid] with the target. 3️⃣ If target equals nums[mid], return mid. 4️⃣ If target is smaller, move the high pointer left. 5️⃣ If target is greater, move the low pointer right. 6️⃣ When the loop ends, low gives the correct insert position. 🔹 Key Learning: Binary Search saves time — reducing O(n) to O(log n)! Understanding the condition when to move left/right is key. Even simple problems sharpen logical precision and boundary handling. Each problem strengthens the logic muscle 🧠 — one step closer to mastering algorithms! 💪 #100DaysOfCode #LeetCode #Java #ProblemSolving #DSA #CodingJourney #LearnByDoing

🗓 Day 8/ 100 – #100DaysOfLeetCode 📌 Problem 3234: Count the Number of Substrings With Dominant Ones A substring is said to have dominant ones if: 👉 #1s ≥ (#0s)² The task is to count how many substrings in the binary string satisfy this condition. 🧠 My Approach: 🔹 Iterated through substrings while maintaining counts of zeros and ones. 🔹 Used the condition ones ≥ zeros² to determine whether a substring is valid. 🔹 Applied early stopping when the zero count became too large, since the quadratic requirement makes dominance increasingly difficult to achieve. 🔹 This pruning significantly reduced unnecessary checks and improved the overall efficiency. ⏱ Time & Space Complexity Time Complexity: O(n · √n) Because for each starting index, we only explore substrings until the zero count reaches ~√n (beyond which zeros² becomes too large to satisfy). This is a major improvement over the brute-force O(n²). Space Complexity: O(1) Only uses a few counters (ones, zeros, indices). 💡 Key Learning: This problem beautifully shows how mathematical constraints can simplify substring evaluation. Recognizing that zeros affect the condition quadratically helped guide a smarter pruning strategy, turning an expensive brute-force check into something efficient and elegant. #LeetCode #Java #ProblemSolving #CodingChallenge #100DaysOfCode #DSA #LearningEveryday

Day 35 — Maximize the Minimum Powered City Problem: 2528. Maximize the Minimum Powered City Difficulty: Hard Language: Java Status: Solved This problem was a deep dive into binary search on the answer combined with sliding window logic — a very common yet tricky combo for optimization-based problems. Key Idea: Use binary search to guess the minimum power each city can have. Verify feasibility using a greedy + prefix/sliding window approach to distribute additional power stations efficiently. Carefully maintain a running window sum to ensure we don’t exceed the limit k of extra stations. What I Learned: How to apply binary search beyond sorted arrays — especially on the answer space. The importance of balancing precision and efficiency while handling prefix sums and range updates. Got a better intuition for “can we achieve X?” style feasibility functions. These kinds of problems are perfect for strengthening logic and optimization thinking. #Day35 #100DaysOfCode #LeetCode #DSA #BinarySearch #SlidingWindow #GreedyAlgorithm #Java #ProblemSolving #Algorithms #CodingChallenge #ProgrammingJourney #SoftwareEngineering #CodeEveryday

I’ve realized that DSA is not just about solving problems—it’s about how many you solve and how deeply you understand the underlying concepts. The more problems you practice, the easier it becomes to recognize patterns and apply the right approach. Today, I worked on LeetCode 1971 – Find if Path Exists in a Graph, marked as an Easy problem. But to solve it confidently, you actually need strong fundamentals in: 🔹 Graph theory 🔹 DFS & BFS (and when to use which) 🔹 Difference between Graphs vs Trees 🔹 Edge List vs Adjacency List 🔹 How to build an adjacency list in code 🔹 How DFS works internally on graphs After around two months of consistent practice, I’m finally able to identify the prerequisites required for each problem and approach them with a structured mindset. If you're exploring graphs, I highly recommend giving this problem a try. Here’s the problem: https://lnkd.in/g6hMyn88 And here’s my LeetCode profile if you'd like to connect or share feedback: https://lnkd.in/gp38YMN7 #LeetCode #DSA #Java #SoftwareEngineering #Graphs #Coding #LearningJourney

🗓 Day 6 / 100 – #100DaysOfLeetCode 📌 Problem 2169: Count Operations to Obtain Zero The goal was to determine how many operations are needed to make both numbers zero by repeatedly subtracting the smaller one from the larger. 🧠 My Approach: Implemented the Euclidean Algorithm to optimize repeated subtraction. Instead of subtracting multiple times, used the modulus operator (%) to reduce steps efficiently. Counted the total number of operations until one of the numbers reached zero. ⏱ Time Complexity: O(log(min(a, b))) 💾 Space Complexity: O(1) 💡 Key Learning: This problem reinforced how mathematical insights like the Euclidean Algorithm can transform a brute-force approach into an elegant, optimized solution. It also reminded me of how language syntax (like Java’s integer operations) shapes the implementation of algorithmic logic. Each day brings a small improvement — and that’s what makes this journey meaningful 🚀 #100DaysOfLeetCode #LeetCodeChallenge #Java #ProblemSolving #Algorithms #EuclideanAlgorithm #MathInCoding #DataStructures #DSA #CodingJourney #CompetitiveProgramming #SoftwareEngineering #CodeEveryday #LearningInPublic #DeveloperJourney #TechStudent #CodingCommunity #CareerGrowth #Programming #LogicBuilding #Optimization #KeepLearning

💡 Day 97 of My DSA Challenge – Single Element in a Sorted Array 🔷 Problem : 540. Single Element in a Sorted Array 🔷 Goal : Find the single element that appears only once in a sorted array where all other elements appear exactly twice, in O(log n) time and O(1) space. 🔷 Key Insight : The array is sorted, and elements appear in pairs — except for one. We can use Binary Search on Indices : Check the mid element and compare it with neighbors. If mid is unique → return it. Otherwise, depending on whether the pair is on the left or right and the parity of the remaining elements, move left or right. This works because the single element shifts the pairing pattern in the array, allowing us to discard half the search space each time. 🔷 My Java Approach : 1️⃣ Binary search over array indices. 2️⃣ Compare mid with neighbors to detect the single element. 3️⃣ Adjust search space using parity logic. 🔷 Complexity : Time → O(log n) Space → O(1) Binary search isn’t just for sorted numbers — it can also be applied to patterns and structural properties in arrays. Recognizing such patterns allows efficient solutions even when the array has special constraints. 🚀 #100DaysOfCode #Day97 #LeetCode #DSA #Java #ProblemSolving #BinarySearch #CodingChallenge #Programming #LearnToCode #CodingLife #SoftwareEngineering #Algorithms #DataStructures #TechJourney #CodeEveryday #EngineerMindset #DeveloperJourney #GrowthMindset #CodeNewbie #KeepLearning #ApnaCollege #AlphaBatch #ShraddhaKhapra