How do you implement the Jump Game to reach the end?
This problem asks if you can reach the last index from the first given jump lengths. It tests greedy algorithms.
Why Interviewers Ask This
Interviewers ask this to test greedy strategy application. They want to see if you can track the maximum reachable index efficiently. It demonstrates single-pass logic.
How to Answer This Question
Explain the greedy approach where you maintain the farthest index reachable so far. Iterate through the array; if the current index is beyond the reachable limit, return false. Update the reachable limit with max(reachable, i + nums[i]). If the limit covers the last index, return true.
Key Points to Cover
- Max reach tracking
- Early termination condition
- Greedy update logic
- Single pass efficiency
Sample Answer
I use a greedy approach by tracking the maximum index I can reach. I initialize a variable 'maxReach' to 0. As I iterate through the array, if the current index is greater than maxReach, I cannot proceed further, so I re…
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not updating max reach correctly
- Returning true prematurely
- Ignoring unreachable indices
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