Question

Which of the following problems is equivalent to the 0-1 Knapsack problem?

(a) You are given a bag that can carry a maximum weight of W. You are given N items which have a weight of {w1, w2, w3,…., wn} and a value of {v1, v2, v3,…., vn}. You can break the items into smaller pieces. Choose the items in such a way that you get the maximum value

(b) You are studying for an exam and you have to study N questions. The questions take {t1, t2, t3,…., tn} time(in hours) and carry {m1, m2, m3,…., mn} marks. You can study for a maximum of T hours. You can either study a question or leave it. Choose the questions in such a way that your score is maximized

(c) You are given infinite coins of denominations {v1, v2, v3,….., vn} and a sum S. You have to find the minimum number of coins required to get the sum S

(d) You are given a suitcase that can carry a maximum weight of 15kg. You are given 4 items which have a weight of {10, 20, 15,40} and a value of {1, 2, 3,4}. You can break the items into smaller pieces. Choose the items in such a way that you get the maximum value

I got this question at a job interview.

My question is from 0/1 Knapsack Problem in chapter Dynamic Programming of Data Structures & Algorithms II

Answer 1

Right option is (b) You are studying for an exam and you have to study N questions. The questions take {t1, t2, t3,…., tn} time(in hours) and carry {m1, m2, m3,…., mn} marks. You can study for a maximum of T hours. You can either study a question or leave it. Choose the questions in such a way that your score is maximized

The best explanation: In this case, questions are used instead of items. Each question has a score which is same as each item having a value. Also, each question takes a time t which is same as each item having a weight w. You have to maximize the score in time T which is same as maximizing the value using a bag of weight W.