Leetcode #2391: Minimum Amount of Time to Collect Garbage
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #2391 Minimum Amount of Time to Collect Garbage in Python and focus on the core idea that makes the solution efficient.
You will see the intuition, the step-by-step method, and a clean Python implementation you can use in interviews.
Problem Statement
You are given a 0-indexed array of strings garbage where garbage[i] represents the assortment of garbage at the ith house. garbage[i] consists only of the characters 'M', 'P' and 'G' representing one unit of metal, paper and glass garbage respectively.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Medium
- Premium: No
- Tags: Array, String, Prefix Sum
Intuition
Range queries become simple once we precompute cumulative sums.
We can transform subarray conditions into prefix comparisons.
Approach
Compute prefix sums and use a map to find matching prefixes.
This avoids nested loops while keeping the logic clear.
Steps:
- Compute prefix sums.
- Use a map to find valid ranges.
- Update the answer.
Example
Input: garbage = ["G","P","GP","GG"], travel = [2,4,3]
Output: 21
Explanation:
The paper garbage truck:
1. Travels from house 0 to house 1
2. Collects the paper garbage at house 1
3. Travels from house 1 to house 2
4. Collects the paper garbage at house 2
Altogether, it takes 8 minutes to pick up all the paper garbage.
The glass garbage truck:
1. Collects the glass garbage at house 0
2. Travels from house 0 to house 1
3. Travels from house 1 to house 2
4. Collects the glass garbage at house 2
5. Travels from house 2 to house 3
6. Collects the glass garbage at house 3
Altogether, it takes 13 minutes to pick up all the glass garbage.
Since there is no metal garbage, we do not need to consider the metal garbage truck.
Therefore, it takes a total of 8 + 13 = 21 minutes to collect all the garbage.
Python Solution
class Solution:
def garbageCollection(self, garbage: List[str], travel: List[int]) -> int:
last = {}
ans = 0
for i, s in enumerate(garbage):
ans += len(s)
for c in s:
last[c] = i
ts = 0
for i, t in enumerate(travel, 1):
ts += t
ans += sum(ts for j in last.values() if i == j)
return ans
Complexity
The time complexity is , and the space complexity is , where and are the number and types of garbage, respectively. The space complexity is , where and are the number and types of garbage, respectively.
Edge Cases and Pitfalls
Watch for boundary values, empty inputs, and duplicate values where applicable. If the problem involves ordering or constraints, confirm the invariant is preserved at every step.
Summary
This Python solution focuses on the essential structure of the problem and keeps the implementation interview-friendly while meeting the constraints.