LeetCode 2184: Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall Solution

Master LeetCode problem 2184 (Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall), a medium challenge, with our optimized solutions in Java, C++, and Python. Explore detailed explanations, test your code in our interactive editor, and prepare for coding interviews.

2184. Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall

Medium

Array Dynamic Programming Bit Manipulation Bitmask

Problem Explanation

Explanation:

In this problem, we are given a wall made up of bricks of varying heights. We need to find the number of ways to draw a vertical line from the top to the bottom that crosses the fewest number of bricks. If a vertical line crosses the edge between two bricks, we consider this as crossing both bricks.

To solve this problem, we can use a hashmap to store the position where the sum of brick heights changes. By counting the frequency of these positions, we can determine the number of bricks that share the same edge. The key insight is to find the position that has the maximum frequency. The number of ways to draw a vertical line with the fewest number of crossings is the total number of bricks minus the maximum frequency. :

Solution Code

class Solution {
    public int leastBricks(List<List<Integer>> wall) {
        Map<Integer, Integer> edgeCounts = new HashMap<>();
        
        for (List<Integer> row : wall) {
            int sum = 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < row.size() - 1; i++) {
                sum += row.get(i);
                edgeCounts.put(sum, edgeCounts.getOrDefault(sum, 0) + 1);
            }
        }
        
        int maxEdges = 0;
        for (int count : edgeCounts.values()) {
            maxEdges = Math.max(maxEdges, count);
        }
        
        return wall.size() - maxEdges;
    }
}

Try It Yourself

Loading code editor...

Frequently Asked Questions

How to solve LeetCode 2184 (Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall)?

This page provides optimized solutions for LeetCode problem 2184 (Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall) in Java, C++, and Python, along with a detailed explanation and an interactive code editor to test your code.

What is the time complexity of LeetCode 2184 (Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall)?

The time complexity for LeetCode 2184 (Number of Ways to Build Sturdy Brick Wall) varies by solution. Check the detailed explanation section for specific complexities in Java, C++, and Python implementations.

Can I run code for LeetCode 2184 on DevExCode?

Yes, DevExCode provides an interactive code editor where you can write, test, and run your code for LeetCode 2184 in Java, C++, or Python.

Back to LeetCode Solutions