Leetcode #2931: Maximum Spending After Buying Items
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #2931 Maximum Spending After Buying Items 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 m * n integer matrix values, representing the values of m * n different items in m different shops. Each shop has n items where the jth item in the ith shop has a value of values[i][j].
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Hard
- Premium: No
- Tags: Greedy, Array, Matrix, Sorting, Heap (Priority Queue)
Intuition
A locally optimal choice leads to a globally optimal result for this structure.
That means we can commit to decisions as we scan without backtracking.
Approach
Sort or preprocess if needed, then repeatedly take the best available local choice.
Maintain the minimal state necessary to validate the greedy decision.
Steps:
- Sort or preprocess as needed.
- Iterate and pick the best local option.
- Track the current solution.
Example
Input: values = [[8,5,2],[6,4,1],[9,7,3]]
Output: 285
Explanation: On the first day, we buy product 2 from shop 1 for a price of values[1][2] * 1 = 1.
On the second day, we buy product 2 from shop 0 for a price of values[0][2] * 2 = 4.
On the third day, we buy product 2 from shop 2 for a price of values[2][2] * 3 = 9.
On the fourth day, we buy product 1 from shop 1 for a price of values[1][1] * 4 = 16.
On the fifth day, we buy product 1 from shop 0 for a price of values[0][1] * 5 = 25.
On the sixth day, we buy product 0 from shop 1 for a price of values[1][0] * 6 = 36.
On the seventh day, we buy product 1 from shop 2 for a price of values[2][1] * 7 = 49.
On the eighth day, we buy product 0 from shop 0 for a price of values[0][0] * 8 = 64.
On the ninth day, we buy product 0 from shop 2 for a price of values[2][0] * 9 = 81.
Hence, our total spending is equal to 285.
It can be shown that 285 is the maximum amount of money that can be spent buying all m * n products.
Python Solution
class Solution:
def maxSpending(self, values: List[List[int]]) -> int:
n = len(values[0])
pq = [(row[-1], i, n - 1) for i, row in enumerate(values)]
heapify(pq)
ans = d = 0
while pq:
d += 1
v, i, j = heappop(pq)
ans += v * d
if j:
heappush(pq, (values[i][j - 1], i, j - 1))
return ans
Complexity
The time complexity is , and the space complexity is . The space complexity is .
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.