Struggling with brain teasers
(Chimp, 3
Points)
on 8/16/12 at 11:22am
Basically I have some interviews coming up and I am struggling big time with brain teasers.
I just can't find the intuition behind them. I don't have a very maths based background and any probability etc. that I have done was done over two years ago.
So many potential questions, so little time to prepare. Does anybody have any tips?
Cheers
No problem is as easy as it
No problem is as easy as it looks, none is as hard as it seems.
Every problem has an answer, so work on the basis that it must be doable.
You aren't expected to get it right instantly. If you do, you've seen it before and you MUST say you have, if you have. (Something like, sorry I'm familiar with this one).
Don't answer quickly, never be 100% in your response (most will ask you how sure you are of your answer).
In the case of identifying something (which marble is lighter etc.) you're looking for a unique identifier, or way of labelling each option individually.
For deduction (the pirate problem) simplify the variables (do it with 1 pirate, then 2 pirates).
For logical principles, take it to extremes, does the number of faces on the dice affect hte probability? (not always). Try it with a 2 sided dice and a million sided dice.
There is never superfluous information. Everything given is very specific and exact. Why 5 days? What can they do on the 5th day that they couldnt do on the 4th?
That's about it, I trained myself up pretty well on these, can post a few if you want.
trazer985: No problem is as
No problem is as easy as it looks, none is as hard as it seems.
Every problem has an answer, so work on the basis that it must be doable.
You aren't expected to get it right instantly. If you do, you've seen it before and you MUST say you have, if you have. (Something like, sorry I'm familiar with this one).
Don't answer quickly, never be 100% in your response (most will ask you how sure you are of your answer).
In the case of identifying something (which marble is lighter etc.) you're looking for a unique identifier, or way of labelling each option individually.
For deduction (the pirate problem) simplify the variables (do it with 1 pirate, then 2 pirates).
For logical principles, take it to extremes, does the number of faces on the dice affect hte probability? (not always). Try it with a 2 sided dice and a million sided dice.
There is never superfluous information. Everything given is very specific and exact. Why 5 days? What can they do on the 5th day that they couldnt do on the 4th?
That's about it, I trained myself up pretty well on these, can post a few if you want.
That would be a great help, thanks.
Are we able to use pen and paper, or will all calculations have to be done in your head. Also, should we talk it through with the interviewer as we go or think it through in our heads first?
Thanks
Practice makes perfect. Brain
Practice makes perfect. Brain teaser are tough to cram so strt early. WOould recommend taking a basic math problem solving class.
This. start with the basics
This. start with the basics and invest in some good books to practice. There is a lot of material available online as well that you can use as a starting point.
Practice makes perfect. Brain teaser are tough to cram so strt early. WOould recommend taking a basic math problem solving class.
What is the angle between the
What is the angle between the hands on a clock when the time reads 3:15?
"A man generally has two reasons for doing anything. One that sounds good, and the real one." - J.P. Morgan
BTbanker: What is the angle
What is the angle between the hands on a clock when the time reads 3:15?
.1309
qweretyq: BTbanker: What is
What is the angle between the hands on a clock when the time reads 3:15?
.1309
Haha. Here's a hint, the hour hand moves 30 degrees each hour.
"A man generally has two reasons for doing anything. One that sounds good, and the real one." - J.P. Morgan
BTbanker: qweretyq: BTban
What is the angle between the hands on a clock when the time reads 3:15?
.1309
Haha. Here's a hint, the hour hand moves 30 degrees each hour.
I always liked the question better at 6:45.
Turbo leverage for capital explosion -- BD Capital
My WSO Blog
SirTradesaLot: BTbanker:
What is the angle between the hands on a clock when the time reads 3:15?
.1309
Haha. Here's a hint, the hour hand moves 30 degrees each hour.
I always liked the question better at 6:45.
67.5 degrees vs 7.5 degrees
"A man generally has two reasons for doing anything. One that sounds good, and the real one." - J.P. Morgan
Yes , I think your hint above
Yes , I think your hint above gives a little too much away. The thing that trips people up is if they forget to account for the moving hour hand.
Turbo leverage for capital explosion -- BD Capital
My WSO Blog
7.5 degrees 360 degrees/12
7.5 degrees
360 degrees/12 hours= 30 degree
:15 is a quarter of an hour, so...
30/4= 7.5 degrees