explanation.md

Explanation of the minSteps Problem Solution in Different Languages

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C++ Code Explanation

1. Initialization:

   • Start by initializing a variable operations to zero. This will keep track of the total number of operations needed to achieve the target number of 'A's.

2. Iterating through Possible Factors:

   • Begin a loop from 2 up to n, as 1 is not a valid factor for this problem.

3. Checking Divisibility:

   • Inside the loop, continuously check if n is divisible by the current number i. If n is divisible by i, it means i is a factor of n.

4. Counting Operations:

   • Each time n is divisible by i, add i to operations, simulating the sequence of "Copy All" and "Paste" operations required.

5. Updating n:

   • After counting the operations, divide n by i to reduce n for the next iteration.

6. Completion:

   • Continue this process until n is fully factorized, and then return the total number of operations needed.

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Java Code Explanation

1. Initialization:

   • Create an integer variable operations and set it to zero. This will accumulate the number of operations needed.

2. Loop Through Factors:

   • Start a loop with i beginning at 2 and continuing up to n. The loop checks for possible divisors of n.

3. Check and Divide:

   • Within the loop, use a while loop to continuously check if n is divisible by i. If true, it means that i is a factor, and n can be reduced by dividing it by i.

4. Accumulate Operations:

   • Each successful division adds the divisor i to the operations variable, representing the number of "Copy All" and "Paste" operations.

5. Return the Result:

   • After n has been completely factorized, return the accumulated operations as the final result.

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JavaScript Code Explanation

1. Initialization:

   • Begin by setting a variable operations to zero. This will be used to tally up the number of steps needed.

2. Loop to Find Factors:

   • Start a loop from 2 up to n, since 1 is not a valid divisor in this problem.

3. Divisibility Check:

   • Inside the loop, continuously check if n is divisible by the current number i. If it is, then i is a valid factor.

4. Count Operations:

   • Every time n is divisible by i, add i to operations to represent the required operations.

5. Update n:

   • Reduce n by dividing it by i and continue until n is fully divided.

6. Final Return:

   • After completing the loop, return the total count of operations.

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Python Code Explanation

1. Set Up:

   • Initialize operations to zero. This variable will track the minimum number of operations required.

2. Loop Through Possible Divisors:

   • Start with i equal to 2, and loop until i is greater than n. This loop finds the smallest factors of n.

3. Factorization and Counting:

   • For each i, while n is divisible by i, keep adding i to operations to represent the steps taken.

4. Reduce and Continue:

   • Divide n by i after each successful factorization to move towards the final result.

5. Return the Total Operations:

   • Once the loop completes, return the operations value which represents the total steps needed.

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Go Code Explanation

1. Initialization:

   • Declare an operations variable and set it to zero. This will accumulate the number of operations needed.

2. Factorization Loop:

   • Start a loop from 2 to n, checking for factors of n.

3. Divisibility and Counting:

   • Inside the loop, while n is divisible by i, add i to operations to account for each division operation.

4. Update n:

   • After adding to operations, divide n by i to reduce it for the next possible factor.

5. Final Calculation:

   • Continue the process until n is fully divided. Then, return the operations as the result.