# 1049. Last Stone Weight II

<https://leetcode.com/problems/last-stone-weight-ii>

## Description

You are given an array of integers `stones` where `stones[i]` is the weight of the `ith` stone.

We are playing a game with the stones. On each turn, we choose any two stones and smash them together. Suppose the stones have weights `x` and `y` with `x <= y`. The result of this smash is:

* If `x == y`, both stones are destroyed, and
* If `x != y`, the stone of weight `x` is destroyed, and the stone of weight `y` has new weight `y - x`.

At the end of the game, there is **at most one** stone left.

Return *the smallest possible weight of the left stone*. If there are no stones left, return `0`.

**Example 1:**

```
**Input:** stones = [2,7,4,1,8,1]
**Output:** 1
**Explanation:**
We can combine 2 and 4 to get 2, so the array converts to [2,7,1,8,1] then,
we can combine 7 and 8 to get 1, so the array converts to [2,1,1,1] then,
we can combine 2 and 1 to get 1, so the array converts to [1,1,1] then,
we can combine 1 and 1 to get 0, so the array converts to [1], then that's the optimal value.
```

**Example 2:**

```
**Input:** stones = [31,26,33,21,40]
**Output:** 5
```

**Example 3:**

```
**Input:** stones = [1,2]
**Output:** 1
```

**Constraints:**

* `1 <= stones.length <= 30`
* `1 <= stones[i] <= 100`

## ac

```java
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://jaywin.gitbook.io/leetcode/solutions/1049-last-stone-weight-ii.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
