distribute-candies.py

# Time:  O(n)
# Space: O(n)

# Given an integer array with even length, where different numbers 
# in this array represent different kinds of candies.
# Each number means one candy of the corresponding kind.
# You need to distribute these candies equally in number to brother and sister.
# Return the maximum number of kinds of candies the sister could gain.
#
# Example 1:
# Input: candies = [1,1,2,2,3,3]
# Output: 3
# Explanation:
# There are three different kinds of candies (1, 2 and 3), and two candies for each kind.
# Optimal distribution: The sister has candies [1,2,3] and the brother has candies [1,2,3], too. 
# The sister has three different kinds of candies. 
#
# Example 2:
# Input: candies = [1,1,2,3]
# Output: 2
# Explanation: For example, the sister has candies [2,3] and the brother has candies [1,1]. 
# The sister has two different kinds of candies, the brother has only one kind of candies. 
#
# Note:
# The length of the given array is in range [2, 10,000], and will be even.
# The number in given array is in range [-100,000, 100,000].


class Solution(object):

    def distributeCandies(self, candies):
        """
        :type candies: List[int]
        :rtype: int
        """
        lookup = set(candies)
        return min(len(lookup), len(candies)/2)