Road to Genius: advanced #39

#javascript #beginners #codenewbie #computerscience

Each day I solve several coding challenges and puzzles from Codr's ranked mode. The goal is to reach genius rank, along the way I explain how I solve them. You do not need any programming background to get started, and you will learn a ton of new and interesting things as you go.

function PES(nums) {
  const ret = [];
  for (let i = 0, temp = 1; i < nums.length; i++) {
    ret[i] = temp;
    temp *= nums[i];
  }
  for (let i = nums.length - 1, temp = 1; i >= 0; i--) {
    ret[i] *= temp;
    temp *= nums[i];
  }
  return ret;
}

let A = PES([1, 4, 5]);
A = A[0]

// A = ? (number)

In today's challenge we need to figure out A[0]'s value, where A is an array and output of the function PES([1,4,5]).

On first sight I have no clue what PES does, except that it contains two for-loops and a couple of multiplications; looks like some basic math, so it shouldn't be too hard.

The quickest way to solve this is brute-force, we only have 3 input numbers, so let's do that in pseudo-code:

--- first for-loop (forwards)
ret = []
temp = 1

  ret = [1]
  temp = 1*1 = 1

  ret = [1, 1]
  temp = 1*4 = 4

  ret = [1, 1, 4]
  temp = ... // I don't care

--- second for-loop (backwards)
ret = [1, 1, 4]
temp = 1

  ret = [1, 1, 4*1]
  temp = 1*5 = 5

  ret = [1, 1*5, 4]
  temp = 5*4 = 20

  ret = [1*20, 5, 4]
  temp = ... // I don't care


return ret=[20, 5, 4] = A

We find that A[0] == 20.

By solving these challenges you train yourself to be a better programmer. You'll learn newer and better ways of analyzing, debugging and improving code. As a result you'll be more productive and valuable in business. Get started and become a certified Codr today at https://nevolin.be/codr/