#+title: Subarrays with Sum Equal to K * Subarray Sum Equals K - Brute Force [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 560]]. Find the total number of continuous subarrays whose sum equals k. Solve using the brute force approach. Example: nums = [1,2,3], k = 3 → Output: 2 ([1,2] and [3]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int subarraySum(vector& nums, int k) { int count = 0; for (int i = 0; i < nums.size(); i++) { int sum = 0; for (int j = i; j < nums.size(); j++) { sum += nums[j]; if (sum == k) count++; } } return count; } #+end_src Time: O(n^2), Space: O(1) * Subarray Sum Equals K - Prefix Sum + Hash Map [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 560]]. Find the total number of continuous subarrays whose sum equals k. Solve optimally using prefix sum with a hash map. Example: nums = [1,2,3], k = 3 → Output: 2 ** Back #+begin_src c++ int subarraySum(vector& nums, int k) { unordered_map prefixCount; prefixCount[0] = 1; // base case: sum of 0 appears once int sum = 0, count = 0; for (int num : nums) { sum += num; // If (sum - k) exists, those prefixes form valid subarrays count += prefixCount[sum - k]; prefixCount[sum]++; } return count; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(n) * Subarray Sum Equals K - Why prefixCount[0] = 1 [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 560]]. In the optimal subarray sum solution (prefix sum + hash map), why is `prefixCount[0] = 1` initialized? ** Back It handles the case where a subarray starts from index 0 and its sum equals k. When sum == k at some index, we look up prefixCount[sum - k] = prefixCount[0]. Without the initialization, this lookup would return 0, missing valid subarrays like [3] where k = 3. The base case means: "a prefix sum of 0 exists once (before any element)" — conceptually the empty prefix. * Subarray Sum Divisible by K [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sums-divisible-by-k/description/][LC 974]]. Find the total number of continuous subarrays whose sum is divisible by k. Example: nums = [23,2,4,6,7], k = 6 → Output: 2 ([2,4] and [7]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int subarraysDivByK(vector& nums, int k) { unordered_map prefixCount; prefixCount[0] = 1; int sum = 0, count = 0; for (int num : nums) { sum += num; // Modulo can be negative in C++, fix with ((sum % k) + k) % k int remainder = ((sum % k) + k) % k; count += prefixCount[remainder]; prefixCount[remainder]++; } return count; } #+end_src Key insight: If two prefix sums have the same remainder mod k, their subarray sum is divisible by k. Time: O(n), Space: O(min(n, k)) * Longest Subarray Sum Equals K [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/maximum-size-subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 325]]. Find the maximum length of a contiguous subarray that sums to k. Example: nums = [1,-1,5,-2,3], k = 3 → Output: 4 ([1,-1,5,-2]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int maxSubArrayLen(vector& nums, int k) { unordered_map firstOccurrence; firstOccurrence[0] = 0; // sum 0 at index 0 (1-based) int sum = 0, maxLen = 0; for (int i = 0; i < nums.size(); i++) { sum += nums[i]; // Check if subarray ending here sums to k if (firstOccurrence.count(sum - k)) { maxLen = max(maxLen, i + 1 - firstOccurrence[sum - k]); } // Store first occurrence only (for longest) if (!firstOccurrence.count(sum)) { firstOccurrence[sum] = i + 1; } } return maxLen; } #+end_src Key difference from counting: store only the *first* occurrence of each prefix sum to maximize length. Time: O(n), Space: O(n) * Subarray Sum Equals K - Negative Numbers? [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 560]]. Does the prefix sum + hash map approach for "subarray sum equals k" work when the array contains negative numbers? Why? ** Back Yes, it works with negative numbers. The prefix sum approach does NOT require positive-only elements. It works for any integer array because: - prefix[j] - prefix[i] = sum[i+1..j] is always true regardless of sign - The hash map tracks ALL prefix sums seen, positive or negative - We only need (sum - k) to exist in the map This makes it superior to the sliding window approach, which only works for non-negative arrays. * Subarray Sum Equals K - Sliding Window Limitation [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/subarray-sum-equals-k/description/][LC 560]]. Can you use the sliding window technique to solve "subarray sum equals k"? When does it work? ** Back Sliding window ONLY works when all elements are non-negative (positive or zero). When all elements >= 0: - Expanding the window increases the sum - Shrinking the window decreases the sum - This monotonicity lets us adjust the window Sliding window fails with negative numbers because adding/removing elements doesn't monotonically change the sum. Prefer prefix sum + hash map — it works for all cases (positive, negative, zero). * Subarray Sum Variations — Master Table [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front What's the master table of subarray sum variations and their approaches? ** Back | Question | Constraint | Approach | Key Data Structure | Time | |----------|-----------|----------|-------------------|------| | Count subarrays sum = K | Any integers | Prefix sum | unordered_map | O(n) | | Longest subarray sum = K | Any integers | Prefix sum | unordered_map | O(n) | | Shortest subarray sum ≥ K | Any integers | Prefix sum + monotonic deque | deque of indices | O(n) | | Shortest subarray sum = K | Any integers | Prefix sum + ordered map | map | O(n log n) | | Divisible by K | Any integers | Prefix sum + modulo | unordered_map | O(n) | | Sum in range [lower, upper] | Any integers | Prefix sum + BST | multiset / Fenwick / segment tree | O(n log n) | | Max circular subarray sum | Any integers | Kadane's + total - min_subarray | 2x Kadane | O(n) | | Subarray sum with only positives | Positives only | Sliding window | Two pointers | O(n) | | 2D matrix subarray sum = K | 2D grid | Fix rows, compress to 1D | Prefix sum on compressed row | O(n^3) | | At most K distinct elements | Frequency constraint | Sliding window + freq map | Hash map of counts | O(n) | | Subarray with exactly K ones | Binary array | Store indices of 1s | Vector of positions | O(n) | | Two non-overlapping subarrays each = K | Any integers | Prefix sum + track both sides | 2 pass with prefix map | O(n) | Core pattern: prefix[j] - prefix[i] = subarray(i+1..j). The variation changes what you store and query. * Subarray Shortest Sum ≥ K — Monotonic Deque [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/shortest-subarray-with-sum-at-least-k/description/][LC 862]]. Find the length of the shortest contiguous subarray with sum ≥ K. Works with negative numbers. Example: nums = [84,-37,32,40,95], K = 167 → Output: 3 ** Back #+begin_src c++ int shortestSubarray(vector& nums, int k) { int n = nums.size(); vector prefix(n + 1, 0); for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) prefix[i + 1] = prefix[i] + nums[i]; deque dq; // stores indices, prefix[dq[j]] is increasing int minLen = INT_MAX; for (int i = 0; i <= n; i++) { // If prefix[i] - prefix[dq.front()] >= K, pop front and record length while (!dq.empty() && prefix[i] - prefix[dq.front()] >= k) { minLen = min(minLen, i - dq.front()); dq.pop_front(); } // Maintain monotonic increasing order of prefix values in deque while (!dq.empty() && prefix[i] < prefix[dq.back()]) { dq.pop_back(); } dq.push_back(i); } return minLen == INT_MAX ? -1 : minLen; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(n) Key insight: Maintain a deque of indices where prefix sums are increasing. If prefix[i] - prefix[dq.front()] ≥ K, then any index after dq.front() gives a shorter valid subarray. * Subarray Sum in Range [lower, upper] [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/count-of-range-sum/description/][LC 327]]. Count the number of subarrays whose sum lies in range [lower, upper]. Example: nums = [-2,5,-1], lower = -2, upper = 2 → Output: 3 ([-2], [-1], [5,-1]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int countRangeSum(vector& nums, int lower, int upper) { int n = nums.size(); vector prefix(n + 1, 0); for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) prefix[i + 1] = prefix[i] + nums[i]; // Use merge sort to count valid pairs return mergeCount(prefix, 0, n, lower, upper); } int mergeCount(vector& P, int lo, int hi, int lower, int upper) { if (lo >= hi - 1) return 0; int mid = lo + (hi - lo) / 2; int count = mergeCount(P, lo, mid, lower, upper) + mergeCount(P, mid, hi, lower, upper); // Count valid (i, j) pairs where P[j] - P[i] in [lower, upper] int j = mid, k = mid, t = mid; for (int i = lo; i < mid; i++) { while (k <= hi && P[k] - P[i] < lower) k++; while (t <= hi && P[t] - P[i] <= upper) t++; count += (t - k); } // Merge step vector temp; int p1 = lo, p2 = mid; while (p1 < mid && p2 < hi) { if (P[p1] <= P[p2]) temp.push_back(P[p1++]); else temp.push_back(P[p2++]); } while (p1 < mid) temp.push_back(P[p1++]); while (p2 < hi) temp.push_back(P[p2++]); for (int i = 0; i < (int)temp.size(); i++) P[lo + i] = temp[i]; return count; } #+end_src Time: O(n log n), Space: O(n) Why not hash map? Hash map can't count how many prefix sums fall in a range. Merge sort counts (i, j) pairs where P[j] - P[i] ∈ [lower, upper] during the merge step. * Max Circular Subarray Sum [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/maximum-sum-circular-subarray/description/][LC 918]]. Find the maximum sum of a non-empty subarray in a circular array. Example: nums = [1,-2,3,-2] → Output: 3 Example: nums = [5,-3,5] → Output: 10 (wraps around: [5, 5]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int maxSubarraySumCircular(vector& nums) { int total = 0, maxSum = nums[0], curMax = 0; int minSum = nums[0], curMin = 0; for (int num : nums) { curMax = max(curMax + num, num); maxSum = max(maxSum, curMax); curMin = min(curMin + num, num); minSum = min(minSum, curMin); total += num; } // If all numbers are negative, maxSum is the answer (total - minSum = 0) return maxSum < 0 ? maxSum : max(maxSum, total - minSum); } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(1) Two cases: 1. Maximum subarray does NOT wrap — standard Kadane's (maxSum) 2. Maximum subarray DOES wrap — total - minSubarray (remove the minimum subarray from the middle) Edge case: all negative → total - minSum = 0, which is wrong. Return maxSum instead. * 2D Matrix Subarray Sum = K [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/number-of-submatrices-that-sum-to-target/description/][Submatrices Sum to Target]]. Given a 2D matrix, find the number of submatrices whose sum equals K. Example: matrix = [[0,1,0],[1,1,1],[0,1,0]], K = 0 → Output: 4 ** Back #+begin_src c++ int numSubmatrixSumTarget(vector>& matrix, int target) { int m = matrix.size(), n = matrix[0].size(); int count = 0; // Fix top and bottom rows, compress to 1D array for (int r1 = 0; r1 < m; r1++) { vector colSum(n, 0); for (int r2 = r1; r2 < m; r2++) { // Add row r2 to the compressed column sums for (int c = 0; c < n; c++) { colSum[c] += matrix[r2][c]; } // Now solve 1D subarray sum = target unordered_map prefixCount; prefixCount[0] = 1; int sum = 0; for (int val : colSum) { sum += val; count += prefixCount[sum - target]; prefixCount[sum]++; } } } return count; } #+end_src Time: O(m^2 * n), Space: O(n) Key idea: Fix two rows (r1, r2), compress columns between them into a 1D array. Then the problem reduces to 1D subarray sum = K. * Exactly K Distinct Elements with Sum = K [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the length of the longest subarray with at most K distinct elements and sum = K. ** Back #+begin_src c++ int longestSubarray(vector& nums, int k) { unordered_map freq; int sum = 0, distinct = 0, maxLen = 0; int left = 0; for (int right = 0; right < nums.size(); right++) { if (freq[nums[right]] == 0) distinct++; freq[nums[right]]++; sum += nums[right]; // Shrink while distinct > K or sum > k while (distinct > k || sum > k) { freq[nums[left]]--; if (freq[nums[left]] == 0) distinct--; sum -= nums[left]; left++; } if (sum == k) maxLen = max(maxLen, right - left + 1); } return maxLen; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(min(n, K)) This combines sliding window (distinct elements constraint) with sum check. The two constraints (distinct count + sum) make it trickier than simple sliding window. * Binary Array — Exactly K Ones [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front See [[https://leetcode.com/problems/max-consecutive-ones-iii/description/][LC 1004]]. Given a binary array nums and an integer k, return the maximum number of consecutive 1's in the array if you can flip at most k 0's. Example: nums = [1,1,1,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0], k = 2 → Output: 6 ** Back #+begin_src c++ int longestOnes(vector& nums, int k) { int left = 0, maxLen = 0; for (int right = 0; right < nums.size(); right++) { if (nums[right] == 0) k--; while (k < 0) { if (nums[left] == 0) k++; left++; } maxLen = max(maxLen, right - left + 1); } return maxLen; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(1) Sliding window: expand right, count zeros. When zeros exceed k, shrink from left. * Two Non-Overlapping Subarrays Each Sum = K [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the maximum sum of two non-overlapping subarrays with lengths L and M. Example: nums = [0,6,5,2,2,5,1,9,4], L = 1, M = 2 → Output: 20 ([9] and [6,5]) ** Back #+begin_src c++ int maxSumTwoNoOverlap(vector& nums, int L, int M) { int n = nums.size(); // Prefix sums for O(1) subarray sum queries vector prefix(n + 1, 0); for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) prefix[i + 1] = prefix[i] + nums[i]; auto sum = [&](int i, int j) { return prefix[j + 1] - prefix[i]; }; int maxL = 0, maxM = 0, result = 0; // Case 1: L comes before M for (int i = L + M; i <= n; i++) { maxL = max(maxL, sum(i - L - M, i - M - 1)); maxM = max(maxM, sum(i - M, i - 1)); result = max(result, maxL + maxM); } // Case 2: M comes before L maxL = 0; maxM = 0; result = 0; for (int i = L + M; i <= n; i++) { maxM = max(maxM, sum(i - L - M, i - L - 1)); maxL = max(maxL, sum(i - L, i - 1)); result = max(result, maxL + maxM); } return result; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(n) Two cases: L before M, or M before L. Track the running maximum of the first subarray while computing the second. * Subarray Sum — All Relationships Diagram [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front What's the decision tree for choosing the right subarray sum approach? ** Back 1. **Are there negative numbers?** → YES: Prefix sum approach (hash map, BST, or merge sort) → NO: Sliding window is possible 2. **What are you counting?** → Count all: hash_map → Longest: hash_map → Shortest: hash_map or monotonic deque 3. **Is the target a range [lower, upper]?** → YES: Merge sort (count pairs in range) or Fenwick tree / BST 4. **Is it divisible by K?** → YES: hash_map with modulo 5. **Is the array circular?** → YES: Kadane's twice — max(max_subarray, total - min_subarray) 6. **Is it 2D?** → YES: Fix 2 rows, compress to 1D, then prefix sum 7. **Are elements only 0/1?** → YES: Store indices of 1s, or sliding window counting zeros 8. **Are there constraints on distinct elements?** → YES: Sliding window + frequency map 9. **Are there multiple non-overlapping subarrays?** → YES: 2-pass — track running max of first while computing second The fundamental identity: subarray(i,j) = prefix[j+1] - prefix[i]. Everything else is about what you do with the prefix array. * Subarray Sum — Core Trigger Heuristic [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front What is the most reliable heuristic for recognizing when to use Prefix Sums? ** Back When you see **"subarray"** and **"sum"** in the same problem description, **Prefix Sums** should be your immediate first thought. The core formula: Sum(i..j) = PrefixSum[j] - PrefixSum[i-1] This turns a **range query** into a **difference between two points**, eliminating the need to re-scan the array. The mental trigger is simple: subarray + sum → prefix sums. Always. * Subarray Sum — When to Use Sliding Window vs Prefix Sum [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front When should you use Sliding Window vs Prefix Sum + Hash Map for subarray sum problems? ** Back | Condition | Use | Why | |-----------|-----|-----| | All numbers ≥ 0, need target sum or max length | **Sliding Window** | Monotonic: expanding always increases sum, shrinking always decreases. O(1) space vs O(n). | | Numbers can be negative, need exact target sum | **Prefix Sum + Hash Map** | Monotonicity broken. Adding an element could make sum smaller. Must remember past states. | | Frequent updates between queries | **Fenwick Tree / Segment Tree** | Prefix sum array takes O(n) to update. Trees give O(log n) update + query. | Rule of thumb: check for negative numbers first. If none exist, sliding window wins. * Subarray Product — Prefix Product Pattern [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front How does the prefix sum pattern translate to subarray **product** problems? ** Back The prefix sum pattern translates directly into a **Prefix Product**: Product(i..j) = PrefixProduct[j] / PrefixProduct[i-1] Instead of subtracting, you divide. Edge case: zeros break division. Handle by: 1. Segmentation — split the array at zeros, solve each segment independently 2. Track position of last seen zero to reset boundaries Example: count subarrays with product < K (all positive): #+begin_src c++ int numSubarrayProductLessThanK(vector& nums, int k) { if (k == 0) return 0; int count = 0, product = 1, left = 0; for (int right = 0; right < nums.size(); right++) { product *= nums[right]; while (left <= right && product >= k) product /= nums[left++]; count += right - left + 1; } return count; } #+end_src * Subarray with Equal 0s and 1s — Value Mapping [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the maximum length of a contiguous subarray with equal number of 0s and 1s. Example: nums = [1,0,1] → Output: 2 ([1,0] or [0,1]) ** Back Treat 0 as -1 and 1 as +1. The problem becomes: **"Find the longest subarray whose sum equals 0."** #+begin_src c++ int findMaxLength(vector& nums) { unordered_map firstOccurrence; firstOccurrence[0] = 0; // sum 0 at index 0 (1-based) int sum = 0, maxLen = 0; for (int i = 0; i < nums.size(); i++) { sum += (nums[i] == 1) ? 1 : -1; if (firstOccurrence.count(sum)) { maxLen = max(maxLen, i + 1 - firstOccurrence[sum]); } else { firstOccurrence[sum] = i + 1; } } return maxLen; } #+end_src Time: O(n), Space: O(n) This is the **"prefix state"** generalization: map values to +1/-1, then it's just prefix sum = 0. * Subarray with Equal Odd and Even Numbers [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the longest subarray with equal number of odd and even numbers. ** Back Map every even number to +1 and every odd number to -1 (or vice versa). The problem becomes: **"Find the longest subarray whose sum equals 0."** Same approach as equal 0s and 1s: prefix sum + hash map storing first occurrence. This is the same "prefix state" generalization applied to a different domain. * Multi-Category Balance — (A, B, C) Equal Counts [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the longest subarray with equal number of 'A's, 'B's, and 'C's. ** Back You can't use a single scalar (+1/-1) for three categories. Instead, track **relative differences** between counts. Maintain running counts: c_A, c_B, c_C. At each step, compute the tuple of differences: (c_A - c_B, c_B - c_C). If this tuple repeats later in the array, the elements between those indices have perfectly balanced A, B, C counts. Data structure: hash map where the key is the state tuple: map, int> firstOccurrence; The tuple (diff_AB, diff_BC) captures the full relative state. If two positions share the same tuple, the subarray between them has zero net change in all three relative differences → equal counts. Time: O(n), Space: O(n) * Subarray Product Is Positive / Negative [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Find the maximum length of a subarray with a positive (or negative) product. ** Back Map: positive → +1, negative → -1, zero → resets the window. A subarray has positive product if it contains an **even** number of negatives. A subarray has negative product if it contains an **odd** number of negatives. Track the parity (odd/even count) of negative numbers as you traverse: - If parity is even at index i and was even at index j (j < i), the subarray (j+1..i) has positive product. - If parity is odd at index i and was even at index j, the subarray (j+1..i) has negative product. Data structure: two hash maps (or arrays) — first occurrence of even-parity index and first occurrence of odd-parity index. Time: O(n), Space: O(n) * Bitwise Subarray — OR / AND / XOR [algorithm:array] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Can you use prefix sums for subarray problems with Bitwise OR, AND, or XOR? ** Back **XOR:** YES — XOR is invertible (XOR is its own inverse). XOR(i..j) = PrefixXOR[j] ^ PrefixXOR[i-1] Same hash map pattern as prefix sum. **OR / AND:** NO — not invertible. You cannot "undo" an OR or AND operation. For OR/AND, exploit the key property: as you expand a subarray, the OR/AND result can only change at most **32 times** (for 32-bit integers) because bits only transition 0→1 (OR) or 1→0 (AND). Strategy: maintain a **set** of all possible OR results ending at the current index. The set never exceeds size 32. #+begin_src c++ int subarrayBitwiseORs(vector& arr) { unordered_set result, current; for (int x : arr) { unordered_set next; next.insert(x); for (int val : current) { next.insert(val | x); } current = next; for (int val : current) result.insert(val); } return result.size(); } #+end_src Time: O(n * 32), Space: O(32) per step * Subarray Sum — Keyword-to-Algorithm Mapping [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front What is the master keyword-to-algorithm mapping for subarray problems? ** Back | Problem Phrase | Array Property | Algorithm | |---------------|---------------|-----------| | "Continuous subarray + Sum = K" | Only positive numbers | **Sliding Window** (O(1) space) | | "Continuous subarray + Sum = K" | Positive & negative | **Prefix Sum + Hash Map** (O(n) space) | | "Divisible by K" or "Multiple of X" | Any numbers | **Prefix Remainder + Hash Map** (sum % K) | | "Equal number of X and Y" | Any numbers | **Value Mapping** (X→1, Y→-1) + Prefix Sum Map | | "Maximum / Minimum Sum" | Any numbers | **Kadane's Algorithm** (DP) | | "Subarray Sum + Frequent Updates" | Element mutations | **Fenwick Tree / Segment Tree** | | "Subarray product = K" | No zeros | **Prefix Product** (division) | | "Subarray product positive/negative" | Any numbers | **Parity tracking** of negative count | | "Subarray XOR = K" | Any numbers | **Prefix XOR + Hash Map** | | "Subarray OR / AND" | Any numbers | **Set of results** (bounded by 32 changes) | * Subarray Sum — Modular Arithmetic Insight [algorithm:interview] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front Why does "subarray sum divisible by K" work with prefix remainders? Prove it. ** Back If Sum(i..j) mod K = 0, then: (Prefix[j] - Prefix[i-1]) mod K = 0 By modular arithmetic: Prefix[j] mod K = Prefix[i-1] mod K **Proof:** Prefix[j] - Prefix[i-1] = m * K (for some integer m) Prefix[j] = Prefix[i-1] + m * K Prefix[j] mod K = (Prefix[i-1] + m * K) mod K Prefix[j] mod K = Prefix[i-1] mod K (since m*K mod K = 0) So we just need to find pairs of indices with the same prefix remainder. **Caveat:** In C++/Java, % can return negative values for negative operands. Fix: remainder = ((prefix_sum % K) + K) % K In Python, % always returns non-negative, so no fix needed. * Subarray Sum — Prefix State Generalization [algorithm:concept] :PROPERTIES: :ANKI_NOTE_TYPE: Basic :END: ** Front What is the "prefix state" generalization, and how does it extend beyond addition? ** Back The core philosophy of prefix sums is: **accumulate history as you traverse linearly, and use a hash map to track state.** This generalizes far beyond addition: | Problem | Mapping | Reduces To | |---------|---------|-----------| | Equal 0s and 1s | 0→-1, 1→+1 | Subarray sum = 0 | | Equal odd/even | even→+1, odd→-1 | Subarray sum = 0 | | Equal vowels/consonants | vowel→+1, consonant→-1 | Subarray sum = 0 | | Equal A/B/C counts | Track (c_A-c_B, c_B-c_C) | Prefix state tuple repeats | | Subarray product | Prefix product | Division (handle zeros) | | Subarray XOR | Prefix XOR | XOR is invertible | | Subarray sum | Prefix sum | Subtraction | The pattern: 1. Define a state that accumulates as you traverse 2. Find a way to "undo" or compare states (subtract, XOR, divide, compare tuples) 3. Use a hash map to find when the same state (or target difference) appears