The Runtime Theory
mediumLeetCode#dynamic-programming#ordered-compositions

Combination Sum IV

Count ordered sequences of positive numbers that sum to target, allowing reuse.

The Runtime Theory Team25 min read
Solve it

Solving happens on the judge — come back and mark it done

Sample cases

innums=[1,2,3], target=4

out7

innums=[9], target=3

out0

innums=[1,2], target=0

out1

Count ordered sequences of positive numbers that sum to target, allowing reuse.

A good solution should

  • State the invariant or decision rule that makes the approach correct.
  • Explain time and space costs in terms of input size and required output.
  • Handle empty, minimal, duplicate, and boundary-shaped inputs.

Reasoning prompt

Order matters. Compare the target-first recurrence with a choice-first loop and state integer overflow assumptions.

Use the linked judge for the canonical challenge. The examples above are compact TRT checks; create additional tests around the boundary most likely to break your invariant.

More practice in this topic

One dispatch a week

The trace behind each problem, the tradeoff that explains it, and one technical dispatch per week — no noise.

One technical dispatch per week. No noise.

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