How should I practice Integer Square Root with Error Checks?

Start by reading the full statement, solve the visible examples, then compare the pattern against related Bloomberg LP phone screen and onsite interview problems in FastPrep.

Is Integer Square Root with Error Checks associated with Bloomberg LP?

FastPrep tags this as a Bloomberg LP phone screen and onsite interview coding practice problem when the problem catalog has that company and stage context.

Integer Square Root with Error Checks

Bloomberg LP● EasyNEW GRADPHONE SCREENONSITE INTERVIEW

Learn

Problem statement

Return floor(sqrt(x)) when x is nonnegative. Return -1 when x is negative.

Do not use a library square-root function, and avoid overflow when comparing a candidate square with x.

Function

integerSqrt(x: int) → int

Examples

Example 1

x = 8return = 2

The square root is between 2 and 3, so its floor is 2.

Example 2

x = -4return = -1

Negative input uses the documented sentinel.

Constraints

-2^31 <= x <= 2^31 - 1.