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Mastering Algorithms for Problem Solving in Python

Challenge: Backtracking

Explore the recursive backtracking approach to compute minimum-length addition chains for integers. Learn how to build and code an algorithm in Python that tries all sums of earlier numbers to reach a target, enhancing your understanding of backtracking problem-solving techniques.

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Let's practice what we have learned so far.

Task

An addition chain for an integer nn is an increasing sequence of integers that starts with 11 and ends with nn, such that each entry after the first is the sum of two earlier entries. More formally, the integer sequence x0<x1<x2<⋅⋅⋅<xlx_0 < x_1 < x_2 < ··· < x_l is an addition chain for n if and only if

  • x0=1x_0 = 1
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