I guess there is a "standard" algorithm for problems of this type.. the template would look like this:
given the integer n and n numbers, find the smallest sum you can get by adding the numbers like this:
n1+n2+n1+n2+n3+n1+n2+n3+n4...
the obvious way for me was to do some math on it and get the following;
for n = 5
you get
(n-1)(N1+N2)+(n-2)N3+(n-3)N4+(n-4)N5
so... from this i just thought sorting the array would do...
but it doesn't seem to be the right way... help!!!
Your problem is the same as finding the smallest contiguous subsequence sum in the sequence
[n1, n1 + n2, n1 + n2 + n3, n1 + n2 + n3 + n4, ...].
Transform your sequence into this form and then solve the problem I described.
Come to think of it, solving the problem I described may involve doing the same transformation one more time.
Its very interesting I like your thinking I appreciate you.Really I like your attitude.How will you get this type of knowledge.
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