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Maximize minimum value after k decrements

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates array-based optimization skills, resource-allocation reasoning under a fixed decrement budget, and algorithmic complexity analysis for maximizing a minimum value after constrained operations.

  • medium
  • MathWorks
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Maximize minimum value after k decrements

Company: MathWorks

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Take-home Project

You are given an integer array `vulnerabilities` of length `n`, where `vulnerabilities[i]` is the initial security score of server `i`. You must perform exactly `k` operations. In each operation, choose any server `i` and decrease `vulnerabilities[i]` by `1`. After all `k` operations, let the resulting array be `final`. **Task**: Compute the maximum possible value of `min(final)` that you can achieve by choosing which servers to decrement each time. ### Input - Integer array `vulnerabilities` (length `n`) - Integer `k` (number of operations) ### Output - An integer: the maximum achievable `min(final)` ### Notes / Constraints (reasonable interview assumptions) - `1 ≤ n ≤ 2e5` - `0 ≤ vulnerabilities[i] ≤ 1e9` - `0 ≤ k ≤ 1e12` - Decrements may make values negative. ### Example - `vulnerabilities = [5, 1, 4]`, `k = 3` - One optimal strategy is to decrement the `5` three times → `[2, 1, 4]`, so `min = 1`. - Output: `1`

Quick Answer: This question evaluates array-based optimization skills, resource-allocation reasoning under a fixed decrement budget, and algorithmic complexity analysis for maximizing a minimum value after constrained operations.

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MathWorks
Jan 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Take-home Project
Coding & Algorithms
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You are given an integer array vulnerabilities of length n, where vulnerabilities[i] is the initial security score of server i.

You must perform exactly k operations. In each operation, choose any server i and decrease vulnerabilities[i] by 1.

After all k operations, let the resulting array be final.

Task: Compute the maximum possible value of min(final) that you can achieve by choosing which servers to decrement each time.

Input

  • Integer array vulnerabilities (length n )
  • Integer k (number of operations)

Output

  • An integer: the maximum achievable min(final)

Notes / Constraints (reasonable interview assumptions)

  • 1 ≤ n ≤ 2e5
  • 0 ≤ vulnerabilities[i] ≤ 1e9
  • 0 ≤ k ≤ 1e12
  • Decrements may make values negative.

Example

  • vulnerabilities = [5, 1, 4] , k = 3
    • One optimal strategy is to decrement the 5 three times → [2, 1, 4] , so min = 1 .
    • Output: 1

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