def tape_equilibrium(a: list[int]) -> int:
    first_part = 0
    second_part = sum(a)
    min_diff = float("inf")
    for i in range(len(a) - 1):
        first_part += i
        second_part -= i
        diff = abs(first_part - second_part)
        min_diff = min(min_diff, diff)

    return int(min_diff)