D
DevExCode

LeetCode 2896: Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal Solution

Master LeetCode problem 2896 (Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal), 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.

2896. Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal

Medium
StringDynamic Programming

Problem Explanation

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we need to find the minimum cost needed to make two binary strings s1 and s2 equal by applying specific operations. We can achieve this by iterating over both strings and comparing character by character. We consider two scenarios for each mismatch:

  1. If s1[i] is different from s2[i]:

    • If we can flip adjacent characters in s1, we choose the operation with the minimum cost.
    • If we can flip characters at arbitrary indices in s1, we choose the operation with the minimum cost.
    • If neither operation is possible, we return -1.

  2. If s1[i] is the same as s2[i], we move to the next character.

Finally, we return the total cost required to make the strings equal or -1 if it is impossible.

Time Complexity: O(n) where n is the length of the strings s1 and s2. Space Complexity: O(1)

:

Solution Code

class Solution {
    public int getMinCost(String s1, String s2, int x) {
        int cost = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < s1.length(); i++) {
            if (s1.charAt(i) != s2.charAt(i)) {
                if (i + 1 < s1.length() && s1.charAt(i + 1) == s2.charAt(i + 1)) {
                    cost += Math.min(x, 2);
                    i++;
                } else if (x < 2) {
                    cost += x;
                } else {
                    return -1;
                }
            }
        }
        return cost;
    }
}

Try It Yourself

Loading code editor...

Related LeetCode Problems

Frequently Asked Questions

How to solve LeetCode 2896 (Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal)?

This page provides optimized solutions for LeetCode problem 2896 (Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal) 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 2896 (Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal)?

The time complexity for LeetCode 2896 (Apply Operations to Make Two Strings Equal) varies by solution. Check the detailed explanation section for specific complexities in Java, C++, and Python implementations.

Can I run code for LeetCode 2896 on DevExCode?

Yes, DevExCode provides an interactive code editor where you can write, test, and run your code for LeetCode 2896 in Java, C++, or Python.

Back to LeetCode Solutions