Created
January 5, 2016 19:13
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--- Part Two --- | |
Now that the machine is calibrated, you're ready to begin molecule fabrication. | |
Molecule fabrication always begins with just a single electron, e, and applying | |
replacements one at a time, just like the ones during calibration. | |
For example, suppose you have the following replacements: | |
e => H | |
e => O | |
H => HO | |
H => OH | |
O => HH | |
If you'd like to make HOH, you start with e, and then make the following replacements: | |
e => O to get O | |
O => HH to get HH | |
H => OH (on the second H) to get HOH | |
So, you could make HOH after 3 steps. Santa's favorite molecule, HOHOHO, can be made in 6 steps. | |
How long will it take to make the medicine? Given the available replacements and the medicine | |
molecule in your puzzle input, what is the fewest number of steps to go from e to the medicine molecule? |
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