PracHub
QuestionsPremiumCoachesLearningGuidesInterview Prep

Quick Overview

This two-part question evaluates array manipulation and algorithmic problem-solving skills: the first task focuses on optimizing cumulative operation costs during iterative reductions while the second assesses combinatorial pairing under equal-sum constraints and computation of aggregate pairwise products.

  • medium
  • MathWorks
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Minimize reduction cost and validate equal-sum pairs

Company: MathWorks

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Onsite

You are given two independent coding tasks. ## Task 1: Minimum total cost to reduce an array You are given an integer array `arr` of length `n`. You may repeatedly perform the following **reduction** operation until only one number remains: 1. Choose any two elements `x` and `y` currently in the array. 2. Remove both from the array. 3. Insert their sum `x + y` back into the array. 4. The **cost** of this operation is `x + y`. Return the **minimum possible total cost** over all sequences of operations. **Input:** `arr` (integers) **Output:** minimum total cost (use 64-bit integer) **Notes/assumptions (make explicit in your solution):** - `n >= 1`. - Elements can be any integers; total cost should be computed using 64-bit arithmetic. --- ## Task 2: Pair elements into equal-sum groups and sum products You are given an integer array `arr` of **even** length `2m`. You must partition the array into `m` disjoint pairs such that: - Every element is used in exactly one pair. - The **sum of the two numbers in each pair is the same constant** `S` for all pairs. If such a partition is possible, return: - The value \(\sum_{i=1}^{m} (a_i \times b_i)\), i.e., the **sum of products** of each pair. If it is **not** possible to form such pairs, return `-1`. **Input:** `arr` (even length) **Output:** sum of pairwise products, or `-1` (use 64-bit integer)

Quick Answer: This two-part question evaluates array manipulation and algorithmic problem-solving skills: the first task focuses on optimizing cumulative operation costs during iterative reductions while the second assesses combinatorial pairing under equal-sum constraints and computation of aggregate pairwise products.

Minimum Reduction Cost

Repeatedly merge two numbers at cost x+y and return the minimum total cost.

Constraints

  • Use 64-bit arithmetic for large values

Examples

Input: ([1, 2, 3],)

Expected Output: 9

Explanation: Merge 1+2 then 3+3.

Input: ([5],)

Expected Output: 0

Explanation: No operation.

Input: ([-5, 1, 2],)

Expected Output: -6

Explanation: Handles negative values deterministically.

Input: ([4, 3, 2, 6],)

Expected Output: 29

Explanation: Huffman-style merge.

Hints

  1. Always merge the two smallest current values.

Equal-Sum Pair Products

Pair all elements so every pair has the same sum and return the sum of products, or -1 if impossible.

Constraints

  • arr has even length for valid pairing

Examples

Input: ([3, 2, 5, 4],)

Expected Output: 22

Explanation: Pairs sum to 7.

Input: ([1, 1, 2, 3],)

Expected Output: -1

Explanation: Impossible.

Input: ([1, 2, 2, 3],)

Expected Output: 7

Explanation: Two equal-sum pairs.

Input: ([-1, 4, 0, 3],)

Expected Output: -4

Explanation: Negative values.

Hints

  1. Sort and pair smallest with largest; all pairs must match the first sum.
Last updated: Jun 27, 2026

Loading coding console...

PracHub

Master your tech interviews with 8,000+ real questions from top companies.

Product

  • Questions
  • Learning Tracks
  • Interview Guides
  • Resources
  • Premium
  • For Universities
  • Student Access

Browse

  • By Company
  • By Role
  • By Category
  • Topic Hubs
  • SQL Questions
  • Compare Platforms
  • Discord Community

Support

  • support@prachub.com
  • (916) 541-4762

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • About Us

© 2026 PracHub. All rights reserved.

Related Coding Questions

  • Minimize shortest path by adding weight-1 edges - MathWorks (easy)
  • Maximize minimum after K decrements - MathWorks (easy)
  • How to maximize rewards with exactly k tasks - MathWorks (easy)
  • Maximize minimum value after k decrements - MathWorks (medium)
  • Determine Whether P's Position Is Unique - MathWorks (medium)