🏠/Guides/Dsa Prep/Session 01

Session 01

Phase 1, Session 1 — Div 2 A Warmup

Target: 5 problems — implementation + math + basic logic Rating band: 800–1000


Problem 1 — Watermelon (CF 4A)

Link: https://codeforces.com/problemset/problem/4/A

Is it possible to split a watermelon weighing w kg into two parts, each weighing an even number of kg?

Tag: Implementation, math, brute force


Problem 2 — Way Too Long Words (CF 71A)

Link: https://codeforces.com/problemset/problem/71/A

If word length > 10, replace with first_letter + (len-2) + last_letter.

Tag: Implementation, strings


Problem 3 — Team (CF 231A)

Link: https://codeforces.com/problemset/problem/231/A

3 friends per problem. If ≥ 2 are sure (1), they'll solve it. Count problems solved.

Tag: Implementation, brute force


Problem 4 — Theatre Square (CF 1A)

Link: https://codeforces.com/problemset/problem/1/A

n×m rectangle, a×a flagstones. Minimum flagstones to cover. (Ceiling math)

Tag: Math, implementation

Key: ceil(n/a) * ceil(m/a) — careful with integer overflow


Problem 5 — Next Round (CF 158A)

Link: https://codeforces.com/problemset/problem/158/A

k-th place finisher score. Count contestants with score ≥ that and > 0.

Tag: Implementation, arrays


How to approach:

  1. Solve in any language (Go or Python — Go preferred for CF speed)
  2. Run against sample tests
  3. Submit on CF and check verdict
  4. If stuck >20 min → peep editorial, understand the trick, move on

After each problem, ask yourself:

  • Could I have solved this faster?
  • What was the one edge case I missed?
  • Is there a simpler mathematical way?
Session 01