花花酱 LeetCode 991. Broken Calculator

On a broken calculator that has a number showing on its display, we can perform two operations:

• Double: Multiply the number on the display by 2, or;
• Decrement: Subtract 1 from the number on the display.

Initially, the calculator is displaying the number X.

Return the minimum number of operations needed to display the number Y.

Example 1:

Input: X = 2, Y = 3
Output: 2
Explanation: Use double operation and then decrement operation {2 -> 4 -> 3}.

Example 2:

Input: X = 5, Y = 8
Output: 2
Explanation: Use decrement and then double {5 -> 4 -> 8}.

Example 3:

Input: X = 3, Y = 10
Output: 3
Explanation:  Use double, decrement and double {3 -> 6 -> 5 -> 10}.

Example 4:

Input: X = 1024, Y = 1
Output: 1023
Explanation: Use decrement operations 1023 times.

Note:

1. 1 <= X <= 10^9
2. 1 <= Y <= 10^9

Solution: Greedy

Thinking backwards, making Y <= X by adding 1 or dividing 2.

If Y is even, (Y + 1) // 2 == Y // 2, there is no need to do the extra step
If Y is odd (Y + 1) // 2 = (Y // 2) + 1, so only do + 1 when Y is odd

Time complexity: O(log(Y-X))
Space complexity: O(1)