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.
Build confidence with an intuition-first walkthrough focused on array fundamentals.
Given an integer array nums of positive integers, return the average value of all even integers that are divisible by 3.
Note that the average of n elements is the sum of the n elements divided by n and rounded down to the nearest integer.
Example 1:
Input: nums = [1,3,6,10,12,15] Output: 9 Explanation: 6 and 12 are even numbers that are divisible by 3. (6 + 12) / 2 = 9.
Example 2:
Input: nums = [1,2,4,7,10] Output: 0 Explanation: There is no single number that satisfies the requirement, so return 0.
Constraints:
1 <= nums.length <= 10001 <= nums[i] <= 1000Problem summary: Given an integer array nums of positive integers, return the average value of all even integers that are divisible by 3. Note that the average of n elements is the sum of the n elements divided by n and rounded down to the nearest integer.
Start with the most direct exhaustive search. That gives a correctness anchor before optimizing.
Pattern signal: Array · Math
[1,3,6,10,12,15]
[1,2,4,7,10]
binary-prefix-divisible-by-5)Source-backed implementations are provided below for direct study and interview prep.
// Accepted solution for LeetCode #2455: Average Value of Even Numbers That Are Divisible by Three
class Solution {
public int averageValue(int[] nums) {
int s = 0, n = 0;
for (int x : nums) {
if (x % 6 == 0) {
s += x;
++n;
}
}
return n == 0 ? 0 : s / n;
}
}
// Accepted solution for LeetCode #2455: Average Value of Even Numbers That Are Divisible by Three
func averageValue(nums []int) int {
var s, n int
for _, x := range nums {
if x%6 == 0 {
s += x
n++
}
}
if n == 0 {
return 0
}
return s / n
}
# Accepted solution for LeetCode #2455: Average Value of Even Numbers That Are Divisible by Three
class Solution:
def averageValue(self, nums: List[int]) -> int:
s = n = 0
for x in nums:
if x % 6 == 0:
s += x
n += 1
return 0 if n == 0 else s // n
// Accepted solution for LeetCode #2455: Average Value of Even Numbers That Are Divisible by Three
impl Solution {
pub fn average_value(nums: Vec<i32>) -> i32 {
let mut s = 0;
let mut n = 0;
for x in nums.iter() {
if x % 6 == 0 {
s += x;
n += 1;
}
}
if n == 0 {
return 0;
}
s / n
}
}
// Accepted solution for LeetCode #2455: Average Value of Even Numbers That Are Divisible by Three
function averageValue(nums: number[]): number {
let s = 0;
let n = 0;
for (const x of nums) {
if (x % 6 === 0) {
s += x;
++n;
}
}
return n === 0 ? 0 : ~~(s / n);
}
Use this to step through a reusable interview workflow for this problem.
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.
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.
Review these before coding to avoid predictable interview regressions.
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.
Wrong move: Temporary multiplications exceed integer bounds.
Usually fails on: Large inputs wrap around unexpectedly.
Fix: Use wider types, modular arithmetic, or rearranged operations.