Asked in: Siemens
Image of the Question
All Testcases Passed ✔
Solution
def warpedSpell(secret):
# Write your code here
n = str(secret)
length = len(n)
// ... rest of solution available after purchaseExplanation
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To tackle this problem, you need to carefully analyze the requirements and constraints related to the "warped" number and then devise a logical method to generate or verify such numbers based on the given "secret" number.
Step 1: Understand the problem constraints and requirements
- You are given a "secret" number, which is a positive integer with length from 1 to 7 digits.
- The "warped" number must have a length between 4 and 7 digits inclusive. This means it must be at least 1000 and at most 9999999.
- The "warped" number must be strictly greater than the secret number.
- The "warped" number must exhibit certain mirror-like characteristics. This implies some form of symmetry or reflective property in the digits, similar to palindromes or mirrored digit patterns.
Step 2: Analyze the mirror-like characteristic
- Mirror-like or symmetric characteristics often involve digits mirroring around the center. The number might read the same forwards and backwards (palindromic), or digits at symmetric positions could relate via a transformation (e.g., digit reflections).
- Since the problem states "as shown below" (though no explicit example is included here), think about what kinds of digit patterns qualify. Could it be a palindrome or some special mirrored arrangement?
- Establish what defines a valid mirrored number. Is it a palindrome, or do digits map to each other via a digit-mirroring scheme (for example, 0↔0, 1↔1, 6↔9, 8↔8, 9↔6)?
- Clarifying this aspect is critical as it constrains what numbers can be generated or checked.
Step 3: Set the search or generation boundaries
- Since the warped number length is 4 to 7 digits, the smallest warped number is 1000 and largest is 9999999.
- Given the secret number can be shorter, the warped number must not only satisfy mirror properties but also be greater than the secret.
- If the secret has fewer than 4 digits, the warped number's length must be at least 4, so consider numbers starting at 1000.
- If the secret has 7 digits, then the warped number can only be greater than that secret but no longer than 7 digits.
Step 4: Determine the approach to find the warped number
- You can approach this in two ways: either generate all possible warped numbers within the valid length range and check which satisfy the constraints, or try to construct the warped number from the secret.
- Generating all warped numbers is feasible since the number of 4 to 7-digit numbers with mirror-like properties is limited compared to the entire numeric range.
- For palindromic numbers, you can generate palindromes of lengths 4 to 7 by constructing half of the number and reflecting it.
- For other mirror characteristics, apply the corresponding digit mapping rules.
- After generating candidates, filter those that are strictly greater than the secret.
Step 5: Efficient candidate generation
- To reduce computation, generate warped numbers in increasing order from the smallest 4-digit mirrored number upwards.
- For each candidate, check if it's greater than the secret.
- Once you find the smallest warped number that satisfies all criteria, you can stop.
- This approach ensures the warped number you find is the minimum that meets the conditions.
Step 6: Consider edge cases
- If the secret number itself is close to or larger than the maximum 7-digit warped number, it might be impossible to find a valid warped number.
- Handle cases where the secret is very small (like single-digit) or very large (7 digits).
- Make sure the warped number length constraints are strictly enforced.
Step 7: Final verification and output
- After identifying the warped number candidate(s), verify:
- Length is between 4 and 7 digits.
- Number is greater than secret.
- Number fulfills the mirror-like characteristic perfectly.
- Return or output the warped number that passes all checks.
Step 8: Summarize your approach
- Understand mirror characteristics precisely.
- Generate all possible warped numbers within length constraints.
- Compare generated numbers with secret to find the smallest valid warped number greater than secret.
- Return that warped number.
This process carefully balances correctness with efficiency by focusing on constrained generation and validation of candidate numbers rather than brute forcing the entire range. It also depends heavily on clearly defining the mirror characteristic so the generation process can be accurately tailored.
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