Cut Into Squares
You are given a rectangle, which is defined by its width w and height h, both positive integers. We allow a rectangle to be cut into two smaller rectangles with either a straight horizontal or a straight vertical cut at any integer position. For example, one of the possible ways to cut the rectangle (5, 8) in two pieces would be to cut it into (2, 8) and (3, 8). Another way would be to cut it into two pieces is (5, 4) and (5, 4) etc. The resulting smaller pieces can then be further cut into smaller pieces, as long as the length of the side being cut is at least two to allow a cut. You are NOT allowed to cut multiple pieces in one motion of the blade by stacking pieces on top of each other.
Your task is to keep cutting the given rectangle into smaller pieces until each piece is a square, that is, the width of each piece equals its own height. This is always possible, since you could just keep cutting until the size of each piece has become 1-by-1. However, this function should return the smallest number of cuts that makes each piece a square.
Input: Two integers (int).
Output: Integer (int).
Examples:
assert cut_into_squares(4, 4) == 0 assert cut_into_squares(4, 2) == 1 assert cut_into_squares(7, 6) == 4
Feel yourself in need of a hint? Click on this line.
This problem is best solved with recursion. Its base cases are when w==h for a piece that is already a square so you return 0, and when min(w,h)==1 allowing no further cuts on the shorter side, return max(w,h)-1. Otherwise, loop through the possible ways to cut this piece into two smaller pieces, recursively computing the best possible way to cut up these two pieces. Return the number of cuts produced by the optimal way of cutting this piece. Since this branching recursion would visit its subproblems exponentially many times, you will surely want to sprinkle some @lru_cache memoization magic on it to downgrade that exponential tangle into a mere quadratic one.
The mission was taken from Python CCPS 109. It is taught for Ryerson Chang School of Continuing Education by Ilkka Kokkarinen
CheckiO Extensions allow you to use local files to solve missions. More info in a blog post.
In order to install CheckiO client you'll need installed Python (version at least 3.8)
Install CheckiO Client first:
pip3 install checkio_client
Configure your tool
checkio --domain=py config --key=
Sync solutions into your local folder
checkio sync
(in beta testing) Launch local server so your browser can use it and sync solution between local file end extension on the fly. (doesn't work for safari)
checkio serv -d
Alternatevly, you can install Chrome extension or FF addon
checkio install-plugin
checkio install-plugin --ff
checkio install-plugin --chromium
Read more here about other functionality that the checkio client provides. Feel free to submit an issue in case of any difficulties.
