> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://jimmylin1991.gitbook.io/practice-of-algorithm-problems/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://jimmylin1991.gitbook.io/practice-of-algorithm-problems/heap/1046.-last-stone-weight.md).

# 1046. Last Stone Weight

We have a collection of rocks, each rock has a positive integer weight.

Each turn, we choose the two **heaviest** rocks 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 totally destroyed;
* If `x != y`, the stone of weight `x` is totally destroyed, and the stone of weight `y` has new weight `y-x`.

At the end, there is at most 1 stone left.  Return the weight of this stone (or 0 if there are no stones left.)

**Example 1:**

```
Input: [2,7,4,1,8,1]
Output: 1
Explanation: 
We combine 7 and 8 to get 1 so the array converts to [2,4,1,1,1] then,
we combine 2 and 4 to get 2 so the array converts to [2,1,1,1] then,
we combine 2 and 1 to get 1 so the array converts to [1,1,1] then,
we combine 1 and 1 to get 0 so the array converts to [1] then that's the value of last stone.
```

**Note:**

1. `1 <= stones.length <= 30`
2. `1 <= stones[i] <= 1000`

```cpp
int lastStoneWeight(vector<int>& stones) { // time: O(nlogn); space: O(n)
    priority_queue<int> pq(stones.begin(), stones.end());
    int x, y;
    while (pq.size() > 1) {
        y = pq.top(); pq.pop();
        x = pq.top(); pq.pop();
        if (y > x) pq.push(y - x);
    }
    return pq.empty() ? 0 : pq.top();
}
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## 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://jimmylin1991.gitbook.io/practice-of-algorithm-problems/heap/1046.-last-stone-weight.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.
