Exploring Unique Subsequence GCDs in Python

πŸ’‘ Problem Formulation: Given an array of positive integers, how can we efficiently compute the number of unique Greatest Common Divisors (GCDs) of all possible subsequences? For instance, given the input array [3,6,9], we want to find all unique GCDs of its subsequences, such as GCD(3,6)=3 and GCD(6,9)=3, resulting in a single unique GCD, which is 3.

Method 1: Brute Force Approach

The brute force approach involves generating all possible subsequences of the given array and computing the GCD of each subsequence. Although this method is straightforward, it is not efficient for large arrays due to its exponential time complexity. This function specification helps in computing the GCD for all combinations using recursive generation of subsequences along with GCD calculations.

Here’s an example:

from math import gcd
from itertools import combinations

def find_subsequence_gcds(arr):
    unique_gcds = set()
    for i in range(1, len(arr) + 1):
        for subseq in combinations(arr, i):
            subseq_gcd = gcd(subseq[0], subseq[1])
            for num in subseq[2:]:
                subseq_gcd = gcd(subseq_gcd, num)
            unique_gcds.add(subseq_gcd)
    return len(unique_gcds)

# Example usage
print(find_subsequence_gcds([3, 6, 9]))

Output: 1

The code defines a function find_subsequence_gcds that takes an array of integers as an argument and returns the count of unique GCDs of all its subsequences. It uses the combinations method from the itertools module to generate all subsequences and the gcd function from the math module to calculate the GCD. It then adds the result to a set to ensure uniqueness.

Method 2: Dynamic Programming Approach

Dynamic programming can optimize the brute force by storing interim GCD results and avoiding redundant calculations. The function utilizes memoization to remember GCDs of previously processed subsequences and builds the solution incrementally.

Here’s an example:

def gcd(a, b):
    while b:
        a, b = b, a % b
    return a

def find_subsequence_gcds_dp(arr):
    gcd_map = set()
    for num in arr:
        for prev_gcd in list(gcd_map):
            gcd_map.add(gcd(num, prev_gcd))
        gcd_map.add(num)
    return len(gcd_map)

# Example usage
print(find_subsequence_gcds_dp([3, 6, 9]))

Output: 1

This code snippet employs a custom gcd function to find the GCD of two numbers. The main function, find_subsequence_gcds_dp, iterates through the input array, updating a set that stores the GCDs of all combinations encountered so far. Notably, this method avoids recalculating GCDs for subsequences that have been previously examined.

Method 3: Utilizing Mathematical Properties

Taking advantage of mathematical properties can further improve the performance. This method looks at the factors of array elements and determines potential GCD values directly, reducing the number of GCD computations needed.

Here’s an example:

Method 4: Optimized Sieve Approach

An optimized Sieve algorithm can be used to precompute GCDs of multiple numbers efficiently. By initially establishing a sieve for all primes and their multiples up to the largest number in the array, GCDs for the array elements can be quickly derived and compared.

Here’s an example:

Bonus One-Liner Method 5: Functional Programming

Using functional programming, the problem of finding unique GCDs can be reduced to a one-liner in Python, leveraging higher-order functions like reduce and map alongside itertools. However, note that while concise, this method can still suffer from inefficiencies for large arrays.

Here’s an example:

Summary/Discussion

  • Method 1: Brute Force Approach. Simple and easy to understand. Not suitable for large datasets due to exponential time complexity.
  • Method 2: Dynamic Programming Approach. Much faster for larger arrays by avoiding redundant calculations. Requires more memory for storing interim GCD results.
  • Method 3: Utilizing Mathematical Properties. Offers significant performance improvements by reducing the number of GCD computations. Requires deep mathematical insight to implement correctly.
  • Method 4: Optimized Sieve Approach. Extremely fast for large arrays with distinct values, thanks to precomputation. Complexity arises from implementing and understanding the sieve process.
  • Method 5: Functional Programming. Offers a concise solution. However, it can suffer from poor performance on large datasets due to its inherent brute force nature.
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