Maximize profit from one or many stock trades
Problem Description
You are given an integer array prices where prices[i] represents the price of a stock on day i (0-indexed).
You need to solve two distinct subproblems:
1. Single Transaction
- You are allowed to complete at most one transaction.
- A transaction consists of choosing one day to buy and a later day to sell (you must buy before you sell).
- Short-selling is not permitted.
- Your goal is to return the maximum profit you can achieve. If no profit can be made, return
0.
2. Multiple Transactions
- You may complete as many transactions as you like.
- You cannot hold more than one share of stock at a time (you must sell any held stock before buying again).
- Short-selling is not permitted.
- Your goal is to return the maximum total profit you can achieve across all transactions.
Assumptions and Constraints
1 <= n <= 10^5, wherenis the length of thepricesarray.0 <= prices[i] <= 10^4.
Deliverables
Design efficient algorithms for both subproblems and analyze their time and space complexity.
AI interview prep
Core dilemma
Optimizing sequential buy/sell decisions to maximize profit under varying constraints on the number and timing of transactions, specifically balancing the simplicity of a a single transaction against the complexity of multiple, interdependent transactions.
2 tradeoffs and 3 stress tests locked
Interview prep
Unlock the interviewer X-Ray rubric, tradeoff matrix, stress tests, clarifying questions, and key concepts.
Maximize profit from one or many stock trades
Problem Description
You are given an integer array prices where prices[i] represents the price of a stock on day i (0-indexed).
You need to solve two distinct subproblems:
1. Single Transaction
- You are allowed to complete at most one transaction.
- A transaction consists of choosing one day to buy and a later day to sell (you must buy before you sell).
- Short-selling is not permitted.
- Your goal is to return the maximum profit you can achieve. If no profit can be made, return
0.
2. Multiple Transactions
- You may complete as many transactions as you like.
- You cannot hold more than one share of stock at a time (you must sell any held stock before buying again).
- Short-selling is not permitted.
- Your goal is to return the maximum total profit you can achieve across all transactions.
Assumptions and Constraints
1 <= n <= 10^5, wherenis the length of thepricesarray.0 <= prices[i] <= 10^4.
Deliverables
Design efficient algorithms for both subproblems and analyze their time and space complexity.