> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mayanktyagi3111.gitbook.io/interview-prep/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mayanktyagi3111.gitbook.io/interview-prep/strings-arrays-and-2-pointers/minimum-difference-between-largest-and-smallest-value-in-three-moves.md).

# Minimum Difference Between Largest and Smallest Value in Three Moves

Given an array `nums`, you are allowed to choose one element of `nums` and change it by any value in one move.

Return the minimum difference between the largest and smallest value of `nums` after perfoming at most 3 moves.

**Example 1:**

```
Input: nums = [5,3,2,4]
Output: 0
Explanation: Change the array [5,3,2,4] to [2,2,2,2].
The difference between the maximum and minimum is 2-2 = 0.
```

**Example 2:**

```
Input: nums = [1,5,0,10,14]
Output: 1
Explanation: Change the array [1,5,0,10,14] to [1,1,0,1,1]. 
The difference between the maximum and minimum is 1-0 = 1.
```

**Example 3:**

```
Input: nums = [6,6,0,1,1,4,6]
Output: 2
```

**Example 4:**

```
Input: nums = [1,5,6,14,15]
Output: 1
```

**Constraints:**

* `1 <= nums.length <= 10^5`
* `-10^9 <= nums[i] <= 10^`

```java
class Solution {
    // Can also be done without sorting, if we find out top 4 and min 4 elements in the array
    public int minDifference(int[] nums) {
        Arrays.sort(nums);
        if (nums.length <= 4)
            return 0;
        int min = nums[0], max = nums[nums.length - 1];
        if (max - min == 0)
            return 0;
        // Answer with no "moves"
        int diff = max - min;
        // Answers with different "moves"
        for (int replacement = 1; replacement <= 3; replacement++)
            // Trying different combinations by dividing moves between front & back
            for (int i = 0; i <= replacement; i++)
                diff = Math.min(diff, nums[nums.length - (replacement - i) - 1] - nums[i]);
        return diff;
    }
}
```


---

# 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://mayanktyagi3111.gitbook.io/interview-prep/strings-arrays-and-2-pointers/minimum-difference-between-largest-and-smallest-value-in-three-moves.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.