Guess Number Higher or Lower II

We are playing the Guessing Game. The game will work as follows:

  • I pick a number between 1 and n.
  • You guess a number.
  • If you guess the right number, you win the game.
  • If you guess the wrong number, then I will tell you whether the number I picked is higher or lower, and you will continue guessing.
  • Every time you guess a wrong number x, you will pay x dollars. If you run out of money, you lose the game.

Given a particular n, return the minimum amount of money you need to guarantee a win regardless of what number I pick.

Example 1
Inputn = 10
Output16
The worst case using an optimal strategy costs $16, so $16 is enough to guarantee a win.
Example 2
Inputn = 1
Output0
There is only one possible number, so you can guess 1 and not have to pay anything.

Constraints

  • 1 <= n <= 200

Asked at 3 companies

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