This post is completed by 3 users

  • 1
Add to List
Beginner

534. Convert to Non-decreasing Array with one change

Given an array of numbers, you need to find out whether an array can be converted to a non-decreasing array where you are allowed to modify the maximum one element in the array.

Non-decreasing array: Array is called a non-decreasing array when you traverse the array from left to right, each element on the left is less than equal to the element on the right. So for any element at index i, input[i-1]<=input[i]<=input[i+1].

Example:

Input[] = [4, 5, 1, 7]
Output: true
Change 1 to 6 or 5 or 7

Input[] = [10, 5, 2]
Output: false

Input: [1, 2, 1, 5]
Output: true
Change 2 to 1.

Input: [1, 1, 1, 1]
Output: true
No Change required

Solution: 

We are allowed to modify one element and we need to check both the possibilities of increasing or decreasing a number. For example, [4, 5, 1, 7], we will increase the element 1 to 6 whereas, in example [1, 5, 4], we will decrease the element 5 to 2 or 3.

So Iterate the array from right to left and count how many elements we need to decrease if the element on the left is greater than the element at the right. Then iterate the array from left to right and check how many elements we need to increase if the element on the right is less than the element on the left.

An important point to remember is - we will increase to decrease the element so that it will just pass the non-decrement condition so increase to decrease the element to make it equal to its neighbor element. Example - [1, 2, 1, 5], decrement the element 2 to 1 so make it equal otherwise we cannot make the array non-decreasing. 

Time Complexity: O(N)

Output:

true
false
true
true