Questions In Interview

Interview Question: Equal Halves of Rectangular Birthday Cake

You have a rectangular birthday cake with a rectangular piece removed.

How would you cut the remainder of the birthday cake into 2 equal halves with one straight cut of the knife?

 

 

Strategy and Approach to Answering a Problem Solving Interview Question

If you get asked a problem solving question in an interview, remember that they are NOT looking for the RIGHT answer. They are evaluating the approach you use to think out and solve the problem. A strong candidate demonstrates the following:

  1. Evaluates and understand the scope of the problem
  2. Communicates assumptions
  3. Demonstrates quantitative analytical skills
  4. Answers the question that has been asked. You’d be surprised how many candidates get lost in the analysis and solve for a different question than what was asked.

 

How to answer this problem solving interview question used by many companies (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Amazon)

Find the centers of both the original birthday cake and the removed piece.  Cut the cake along the line connecting the two centers.  This line cuts the original cake and the removed pieces in two equal halves.

 

Note: For this problem solving job interview question, there is an actual logical answer, however the interviewer will want to evaluate your thinking process.  In answering the interview question, the lead up to your answer will be just as important as the actual answer itself.

For more problem solving, brain teasers, riddles, puzzles, logic job interview questions, please check our out Problem Solving Interview Section.

 

List of Problem Solving Interview Questions Used by Top Firms (e.g., Google, Microsoft, etc.)