missing = 0 for i = 1 … N+1 missing ^= i repeat N times read x missing ^= x output missing We prove the sum‑based algorithm; the XOR version follows the same line of reasoning. Lemma 1 Let S = Σ_{i=1}^{N+1} i . Let T = Σ_{j=1}^{N} a_j be the sum of the numbers actually present. If exactly one element m of {1,…,N+1} is missing, then S - T = m .
int main() { ios::sync_with_stdio(false); cin.tie(nullptr); long long N; while (cin >> N) { if (N == 0) break; // end of input // ----- sum based solution ----- long long missing = (N + 1) * (N + 2) / 2; // Σ_{i=1}^{N+1} i for (long long i = 0, x; i < N; ++i) { cin >> x; missing -= x; } cout << missing << '\n'; /* ----- xor based solution (alternatively) ----- long long missing = 0; for (long long i = 1; i <= N + 1; ++i) missing ^= i; for (long long i = 0, x; i < N; ++i) { cin >> x; missing ^= x; } cout << missing << '\n'; ------------------------------------------------- */ } return 0; } The program follows exactly the algorithm proved correct above, conforms to the required I/O format and runs in linear time with constant extra memory. It compiles under any standard C++17 compiler. 354. Missax
Proof. The algorithm first stores missing = S . During the input loop it subtracts each read number a_j from missing . After the loop finishes missing = 0 for i = 1 …