Code : Min Steps to 1

 

Given a positive integer 'n', find and return the minimum number of steps that 'n' has to take to get reduced to 1. You can perform any one of the following 3 steps:

1.) Subtract 1 from it. (n = n - ­1) ,
2.) If its divisible by 2, divide by 2.( if n % 2 == 0, then n = n / 2 ) ,
3.) If its divisible by 3, divide by 3. (if n % 3 == 0, then n = n / 3 ).  

Write brute-force recursive solution for this.

Input format :

The first and the only line of input contains an integer value, 'n'.

Output format :

Print the minimum number of steps.

Constraints :

1 <= n <= 200

Time Limit: 1 sec

Sample Input 1 :

4

Sample Output 1 :

2 

Explanation of Sample Output 1 :

For n = 4
Step 1 :  n = 4 / 2  = 2
Step 2 : n = 2 / 2  =  1 

Sample Input 2 :

7

Sample Output 2 :

3

Explanation of Sample Output 2 :

For n = 7
Step 1 :  n = 7 ­- 1 = 6
Step 2 : n = 6  / 3 = 2 
Step 3 : n = 2 / 2 = 1  

int countMinStepsToOne(int n)
{
    if(n<=1)return 0;
    int x=countMinStepsToOne(n-1);
    int y=INT_MAX,z=INT_MAX;
    if(n%2==0) y=countMinStepsToOne(n/2);
    if(n%3==0)z=countMinStepsToOne(n/3);
    return  min(x,min(y,z))+1;
}