Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions
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Problem Challenge 1: Rearrange String K Distance Apart (hard)
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Problem Statement

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Problem Statement

Given a string and a number ‘K’, find if the string can be rearranged such that the same characters are at least ‘K’ distance apart from each other.

Example 1:

Input: "mmpp", K=2
Output: "mpmp" or "pmpm"
Explanation: All same characters are 2 distance apart.

Example 2:

Input: "Programming", K=3
Output: "rgmPrgmiano" or "gmringmrPoa" or "gmrPagimnor" and a few more  
Explanation: All same characters are 3 distance apart.

Example 3:

Input: "aab", K=2
Output: "aba"
Explanation: All same characters are 2 distance apart.

Example 4:

Input: "aappa", K=3
Output: ""
Explanation: We cannot find an arrangement of the string where any two 'a' are 3 distance apart.

Constraints:

  • 1 <= str.length <= 3 * 10<sup>5</sup>
  • str consists of only lowercase English letters.
  • 0 <= k <= str.length

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Try solving this question here:

Python3
Python3
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On this page

Problem Statement

Try it yourself