third solution

5kyu/smallest-possible-sum/solution.ts

@@ -11,24 +11,34 @@ const operate = (arr: number[]): boolean => {
   // find the first element that is not the largest
   const first = arr[0]; // smallest
 
-  // subtract as many multiples of the smallest number from all the rest
-  let i = 1;
-
   // if all numbers are the same, return true
   // if the array is sorted, it is enough to compare the first and last elements
   if(arr[arr.length - 1] === first) return true;
 
-  while (i < arr.length) {
-    const div = arr[i] / first;
-    let flooredDiv = Math.floor(arr[i] / first);
-
-    if(flooredDiv === div && flooredDiv > 0) {
-      flooredDiv--;
+  // if the first number is 1, set all numbers to 1
+  if(first === 1) {
+    for(let i = 1; i < arr.length; i++) {
+      arr[i] = 1;
     }
+    return true;
+  }
+  
+  // subtract as many multiples of the smallest number from all the rest
+  let i = 1;
+  while (i < arr.length) {
+    if(arr[i] <= first) {
+      i++;
+      continue;
+    }
+    
+    const mod = arr[i] % first;
 
-    const newValue = arr[i] - first * flooredDiv;
-    if (newValue !== 0) {
-      arr[i] = newValue;
+    if (mod === 0) {
+      // figure out how many times the first number can be subtracted from the current number
+      const div = arr[i] / first - 1;
+      arr[i] = arr[i] - first * div;
+    } else {
+      arr[i] = mod;
     }
     i++;
   }