Fewest Interval Increments to Build a Target Skyline
Company: Amazon
Role: Software Engineer
Category: Coding & Algorithms
Difficulty: hard
Interview Round: Other
### Problem
Start with an all-zero array the same length as target. One operation adds 1 to every entry of any chosen contiguous subarray. Return the minimum operations needed to reach target exactly. The source restricts inputs so that the answer fits a 32-bit integer.
```cpp
class Solution {
public:
int minNumberOperations(vector<int>& target);
};
```
### Examples
**Example 1:**
```text
Input: target = [2,1,3]
Output: 4
Explanation: Increment the entire array once,the first entry once,and the last entry twice. At least2 layers must start at index0,and2 more must start at the rise from1 to3.
```
**Example 2:**
```text
Input: target = [4,4]
Output: 4
Explanation: Four whole-array increments attain the target,and each position needs four increments.
```
### Constraints
- target has length 1 to 100000.
- `1 <= target[i] <= 100000`.
- Inputs are generated so that the minimum answer fits a signed 32-bit integer.
### Contract considerations
All source target entries are positive; no new lower bound or broader overflow domain is substituted.
```hint Read the boundary condition
Check flat regions, rises, and drops while respecting contiguous-interval increments. Explain why the minimum is attainable under the stated answer bound.
```
### Boundary reminders
All source target entries are positive; no new lower bound or broader overflow domain is substituted.
Overview: Fewest Interval Increments to Build a Target Skyline. Start with an all-zero array the same length as target.
Fewest Interval Increments to Build a Target Skyline
Amazon
Aug 17, 2026
hardSoftware EngineerOtherCoding & Algorithms
0
0
Problem
Start with an all-zero array the same length as target. One operation adds 1 to every entry of any chosen contiguous subarray. Return the minimum operations needed to reach target exactly. The source restricts inputs so that the answer fits a 32-bit integer.
class Solution {
public:
int minNumberOperations(vector<int>& target);
};
Examples
Example 1:
Input: target = [2,1,3]
Output: 4
Explanation: Increment the entire array once,the first entry once,and the last entry twice. At least2 layers must start at index0,and2 more must start at the rise from1 to3.
Example 2:
Input: target = [4,4]
Output: 4
Explanation: Four whole-array increments attain the target,and each position needs four increments.
Constraints
target has length 1 to 100000.
1 <= target[i] <= 100000
.
Inputs are generated so that the minimum answer fits a signed 32-bit integer.
Contract considerations
All source target entries are positive; no new lower bound or broader overflow domain is substituted.
Boundary reminders
All source target entries are positive; no new lower bound or broader overflow domain is substituted.