LeetCode #1856 — MEDIUM

Maximum Subarray Min-Product

Move from brute-force thinking to an efficient approach using array strategy.

Solve on LeetCode
The Problem

Problem Statement

The min-product of an array is equal to the minimum value in the array multiplied by the array's sum.

  • For example, the array [3,2,5] (minimum value is 2) has a min-product of 2 * (3+2+5) = 2 * 10 = 20.

Given an array of integers nums, return the maximum min-product of any non-empty subarray of nums. Since the answer may be large, return it modulo 109 + 7.

Note that the min-product should be maximized before performing the modulo operation. Testcases are generated such that the maximum min-product without modulo will fit in a 64-bit signed integer.

A subarray is a contiguous part of an array.

Example 1:

Input: nums = [1,2,3,2]
Output: 14
Explanation: The maximum min-product is achieved with the subarray [2,3,2] (minimum value is 2).
2 * (2+3+2) = 2 * 7 = 14.

Example 2:

Input: nums = [2,3,3,1,2]
Output: 18
Explanation: The maximum min-product is achieved with the subarray [3,3] (minimum value is 3).
3 * (3+3) = 3 * 6 = 18.

Example 3:

Input: nums = [3,1,5,6,4,2]
Output: 60
Explanation: The maximum min-product is achieved with the subarray [5,6,4] (minimum value is 4).
4 * (5+6+4) = 4 * 15 = 60.

Constraints:

  • 1 <= nums.length <= 105
  • 1 <= nums[i] <= 107
Patterns Used

Roadmap

  1. Brute Force Baseline
  2. Core Insight
  3. Algorithm Walkthrough
  4. Edge Cases
  5. Full Annotated Code
  6. Interactive Study Demo
  7. Complexity Analysis
Step 01

Brute Force Baseline

Problem summary: The min-product of an array is equal to the minimum value in the array multiplied by the array's sum. For example, the array [3,2,5] (minimum value is 2) has a min-product of 2 * (3+2+5) = 2 * 10 = 20. Given an array of integers nums, return the maximum min-product of any non-empty subarray of nums. Since the answer may be large, return it modulo 109 + 7. Note that the min-product should be maximized before performing the modulo operation. Testcases are generated such that the maximum min-product without modulo will fit in a 64-bit signed integer. A subarray is a contiguous part of an array.

Baseline thinking

Start with the most direct exhaustive search. That gives a correctness anchor before optimizing.

Pattern signal: Array · Stack

Example 1

[1,2,3,2]

Example 2

[2,3,3,1,2]

Example 3

[3,1,5,6,4,2]

Related Problems

  • Subarray With Elements Greater Than Varying Threshold (subarray-with-elements-greater-than-varying-threshold)
Step 02

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

  • Is there a way we can sort the elements to simplify the problem?
  • Can we find the maximum min-product for every value in the array?
Interview move: turn each hint into an invariant you can check after every iteration/recursion step.
Step 03

Algorithm Walkthrough

Iteration Checklist

  1. Define state (indices, window, stack, map, DP cell, or recursion frame).
  2. Apply one transition step and update the invariant.
  3. Record answer candidate when condition is met.
  4. Continue until all input is consumed.
Use the first example testcase as your mental trace to verify each transition.
Step 04

Edge Cases

Minimum Input
Single element / shortest valid input
Validate boundary behavior before entering the main loop or recursion.
Duplicates & Repeats
Repeated values / repeated states
Decide whether duplicates should be merged, skipped, or counted explicitly.
Extreme Constraints
Upper-end input sizes
Re-check complexity target against constraints to avoid time-limit issues.
Invalid / Corner Shape
Empty collections, zeros, or disconnected structures
Handle special-case structure before the core algorithm path.
Step 05

Full Annotated Code

Source-backed implementations are provided below for direct study and interview prep.

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #1856: Maximum Subarray Min-Product
class Solution {
    public int maxSumMinProduct(int[] nums) {
        int n = nums.length;
        int[] left = new int[n];
        int[] right = new int[n];
        Arrays.fill(left, -1);
        Arrays.fill(right, n);
        Deque<Integer> stk = new ArrayDeque<>();
        for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
            while (!stk.isEmpty() && nums[stk.peek()] >= nums[i]) {
                stk.pop();
            }
            if (!stk.isEmpty()) {
                left[i] = stk.peek();
            }
            stk.push(i);
        }
        stk.clear();
        for (int i = n - 1; i >= 0; --i) {
            while (!stk.isEmpty() && nums[stk.peek()] > nums[i]) {
                stk.pop();
            }
            if (!stk.isEmpty()) {
                right[i] = stk.peek();
            }
            stk.push(i);
        }
        long[] s = new long[n + 1];
        for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
            s[i + 1] = s[i] + nums[i];
        }
        long ans = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
            ans = Math.max(ans, nums[i] * (s[right[i]] - s[left[i] + 1]));
        }
        final int mod = (int) 1e9 + 7;
        return (int) (ans % mod);
    }
}
Step 06

Interactive Study Demo

Use this to step through a reusable interview workflow for this problem.

Press Step or Run All to begin.
Step 07

Complexity Analysis

Time
O(n)
Space
O(n)

Approach Breakdown

BRUTE FORCE
O(n²) time
O(1) space

For each element, scan left (or right) to find the next greater/smaller element. The inner scan can visit up to n elements per outer iteration, giving O(n²) total comparisons. No extra space needed beyond loop variables.

MONOTONIC STACK
O(n) time
O(n) space

Each element is pushed onto the stack at most once and popped at most once, giving 2n total operations = O(n). The stack itself holds at most n elements in the worst case. The key insight: amortized O(1) per element despite the inner while-loop.

Shortcut: Each element pushed once + popped once → O(n) amortized. The inner while-loop does not make it O(n²).
Coach Notes

Common Mistakes

Review these before coding to avoid predictable interview regressions.

Off-by-one on range boundaries

Wrong move: Loop endpoints miss first/last candidate.

Usually fails on: Fails on minimal arrays and exact-boundary answers.

Fix: Re-derive loops from inclusive/exclusive ranges before coding.

Breaking monotonic invariant

Wrong move: Pushing without popping stale elements invalidates next-greater/next-smaller logic.

Usually fails on: Indices point to blocked elements and outputs shift.

Fix: Pop while invariant is violated before pushing current element.