Happy Number
Explore how to identify happy numbers by implementing an algorithm that uses the sum of squares of digits and cycle detection. Understand the application of fast and slow pointers to determine if the process leads to 1 or cycles indefinitely. This lesson helps you develop skills to solve similar problems in coding interviews.
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Statement
Write an algorithm to determine if a number is a happy number.
We use the following process to check if a given number is a happy number:
- Starting with the given number , replace the number with the sum of the squares of its digits.
- Repeat the process until:
- The number equals , which will depict that the given number is a happy number.
- The number enters a cycle, which will depict that the given number is not a happy number.
Return TRUE if is a happy number, and FALSE if not.
Constraints
Examples
Test your understanding of the problem
Let’s take a moment to make sure we have correctly understood the problem. The quiz below helps us to check that we are solving precisely the right problem:
Happy Number
(True or False) 28 is a happy number.
True
False
Figure it out
We have a game for you to play: re-arrange the logical building blocks to develop a clearer understanding of how to solve this problem.
Try it yourself
Implement your solution in the following coding playground.
bool IsHappyNumber(int n){// Replace this placeholder return statement with your codereturn false;}