LeetCode #2033 — MEDIUM

Minimum Operations to Make a Uni-Value Grid

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

Solve on LeetCode
The Problem

Problem Statement

You are given a 2D integer grid of size m x n and an integer x. In one operation, you can add x to or subtract x from any element in the grid.

A uni-value grid is a grid where all the elements of it are equal.

Return the minimum number of operations to make the grid uni-value. If it is not possible, return -1.

Example 1:

Input: grid = [[2,4],[6,8]], x = 2
Output: 4
Explanation: We can make every element equal to 4 by doing the following: 
- Add x to 2 once.
- Subtract x from 6 once.
- Subtract x from 8 twice.
A total of 4 operations were used.

Example 2:

Input: grid = [[1,5],[2,3]], x = 1
Output: 5
Explanation: We can make every element equal to 3.

Example 3:

Input: grid = [[1,2],[3,4]], x = 2
Output: -1
Explanation: It is impossible to make every element equal.

Constraints:

  • m == grid.length
  • n == grid[i].length
  • 1 <= m, n <= 105
  • 1 <= m * n <= 105
  • 1 <= x, grid[i][j] <= 104

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: You are given a 2D integer grid of size m x n and an integer x. In one operation, you can add x to or subtract x from any element in the grid. A uni-value grid is a grid where all the elements of it are equal. Return the minimum number of operations to make the grid uni-value. If it is not possible, return -1.

Baseline thinking

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

Pattern signal: Array · Math

Example 1

[[2,4],[6,8]]
2

Example 2

[[1,5],[2,3]]
1

Example 3

[[1,2],[3,4]]
2

Related Problems

  • Minimum Moves to Equal Array Elements II (minimum-moves-to-equal-array-elements-ii)
Step 02

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

  • Is it possible to make two integers a and b equal if they have different remainders dividing by x?
  • If it is possible, which number should you select to minimize the number of operations?
  • What if the elements are sorted?
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 #2033: Minimum Operations to Make a Uni-Value Grid
class Solution {
    public int minOperations(int[][] grid, int x) {
        int m = grid.length, n = grid[0].length;
        int[] nums = new int[m * n];
        int mod = grid[0][0] % x;
        for (int i = 0; i < m; ++i) {
            for (int j = 0; j < n; ++j) {
                if (grid[i][j] % x != mod) {
                    return -1;
                }
                nums[i * n + j] = grid[i][j];
            }
        }
        Arrays.sort(nums);
        int mid = nums[nums.length >> 1];
        int ans = 0;
        for (int v : nums) {
            ans += Math.abs(v - mid) / x;
        }
        return ans;
    }
}
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((m × n)
Space
O(m × n)

Approach Breakdown

BRUTE FORCE
O(n²) time
O(1) space

Two nested loops check every pair or subarray. The outer loop fixes a starting point, the inner loop extends or searches. For n elements this gives up to n²/2 operations. No extra space, but the quadratic time is prohibitive for large inputs.

OPTIMIZED
O(n) time
O(1) space

Most array problems have an O(n²) brute force (nested loops) and an O(n) optimal (single pass with clever state tracking). The key is identifying what information to maintain as you scan: a running max, a prefix sum, a hash map of seen values, or two pointers.

Shortcut: If you are using nested loops on an array, there is almost always an O(n) solution. Look for the right auxiliary state.
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.

Overflow in intermediate arithmetic

Wrong move: Temporary multiplications exceed integer bounds.

Usually fails on: Large inputs wrap around unexpectedly.

Fix: Use wider types, modular arithmetic, or rearranged operations.