Split array - largest sum

Binary Search FAQs Hard
  • This problem reflects a practical problem in load balancing concept in distributed computing
  • A common task in managing a distributed system is distributing workload evenly across machines
  • This is a form of the problem where each machine is a subarray and the load is represented by the sum of the elements in the subarray
  • For optimum load balancing, the goal is to minimize the largest sum across all machines
  • This is necessary to ensure no single machine is overwhelmed with too much work while others are idle, thereby maximizing system efficiency and performance

Given an integer array a of size n and an integer k. Split the array a into k non-empty subarrays such that the largest sum of any subarray is minimized. Return the minimized largest sum of the split.

Examples:

Input: a = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], k = 3

Output:6

Explanation: There are many ways to split the array a[] into k consecutive subarrays. The best way to do this is to split the array a[] into [1, 2, 3], [4], and [5], where the largest sum among the three subarrays is only 6.

Input: a = [3,5,1], k = 3

Output: 5

Explanation: There is only one way to split the array a[] into 3 subarrays, i.e., [3], [5], and [1]. The largest sum among these subarrays is 5.

Input: a = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], k = 2

Constraints

  •  1 ≤ n ≤ 104
  •  1 ≤ k ≤ n
  •  1 ≤ a[i] ≤ 104

Hints

  • Use binary search to find the smallest possible value of the maximum subarray sum.
  • "If mid is feasible (subarrays can be formed with a maximum sum ≤mid), search for a smaller maximum sum (high=mid). If mid is not feasible, search for a larger maximum sum (low=mid+1)."

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