Got through parts 1-3 fine and was close on part 4, but time ran out before I could debug the failing test cases.
Start by clarifying the problem statement and constraints for each part, then solve incrementally from brute force to optimal, explaining your reasoning and trade-offs. Test with edge cases and ensure your solution is clean and efficient before moving to the next part.
Pro tip: Demonstrate strong communication by thinking aloud and proactively discussing time/space complexity for each part. If stuck, simplify the problem and build up, showing resilience and problem-solving skills.
Ask clarifying questions to fully grasp the problem for each part, including input/output formats, constraints, and edge cases.
Outline a simple, correct approach first, even if inefficient, to establish a baseline and ensure understanding.
Analyze bottlenecks and improve the solution step by step, explaining the trade-offs and complexity at each stage.
Walk through examples, including edge cases, to verify correctness and discuss potential pitfalls.
Summarize the solution, discuss possible extensions or variations, and relate to real-world applications if relevant.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.