Okay, so today I decided to tackle leaks, specifically focusing on problems 13 through 17. I’ve been putting this off for a while, but no more excuses! It’s time to dive in.

First, I gathered all my materials. I needed my notes, the problem descriptions, and of course, a big cup of coffee. I find that a clean workspace really helps me focus, so I spent a few minutes tidying up my desk. Everything in its place, you know?
Getting Started
I started with problem 13, read it a couple of times to make sure I understood exactly what was being asked. Sometimes these things are worded in a tricky way, so I wanted to be extra careful.
- Read the problem carefully. Seriously, don’t skim!
- Identify the core issue. What’s actually leaking?
- Trace the code. Step by step, where could the problem be originating?
I did use the solution from the internet, Then I spent a good chunk of time just tracing through the code, trying to follow the logic and see where things might be going wrong.
Problem 14 was next, and it turned out to be a bit of a beast. Lots of nested stuff, and I kept getting lost. I drew a diagram to help me visualize the relationships between the different parts. That actually helped a lot! It’s amazing how putting things down on paper can clear up your thinking.
Break Time!
After a couple of hours, I needed a break. Staring at code for too long makes my eyes go blurry. I walked around the block, got some fresh air, and let my brain reset. It’s important to step away sometimes.
Back at It
Problems 15 and 16 were relatively straightforward, thankfully. I used some of the techniques I’d practiced on the earlier problems, and they went pretty smoothly. It felt good to see some progress!
The Final Problem
Problem 17 was the last one, and it was a doozy. I spent a solid hour just trying to understand what was happening. It was a bit complex, but, I broke it down into smaller parts, and finally, I got it!

It was not that hard to find the key point.
All in all, it was a productive day. I learned a lot, and I’m feeling much more confident about tackling these kinds of problems in the future. Now, time for a well-deserved rest!