Solution: Minimum Cuts to Divide a Circle
Explore the mathematical solution for dividing a circle into n equal slices using the minimum number of cuts. Learn to determine when to use n cuts for odd slices or n divided by 2 cuts for even slices, understanding the logic and geometry behind it. This lesson helps clarify an efficient approach to solving geometry-based coding problems with O(1) complexity.
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Statement
Given an integer n, determine the minimum number of cuts required to divide the circle into n equal slices. A valid cut in a circle is defined as one of the following:
A cut is represented by a straight line that passes through the circle’s center and touches two points on its edge.
A cut is represented by a straight line touching one point on the circle’s edge and center.
Constraints:
n
Solution
To cut a circle into