How many cabs in NYC question?

well i would just approach it mathematically. estimate how many there are on a given street block, then multiply by 4 (to give a square block), then estimate how many square miles manhattan is, then how many square blocks there are in a mile to calculate the total number of square blocks in manhattan.

i don't think they're looking for the exact right answer, more your ability to reason.

that approach would work for above...

as peacerenity said, its about your logic...but, here's the exact answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City

the supply of yellow cabs for which you need a medallion for is pretty limited - also, its interesting to note that medallions can sell for nearly $1 million bucks...

.

Guess you don't watch cash cab on Discovery...

I would have done NYC population, then like 100 ppl per cab?

you should just know its around 13,000 yellow cabs

this is one of those facts that you SHOULD know if you live in NYC. along with how many 1 oz bags of coke can fit in the antenna of the Empire State Building.

Assuming NYC = Manhattan only, ~2 million people, 1 cab for every ~100 people, ~20,000 cabs?

What if you just called every company and asked them because you "had a big party" that needed escorted and you needed to see if they could meet your needs?

or could you call the DMV and see what they have thats considered public information?

I would take this approach:

-about 3-4 cabs per block (on average) -130 blocks x ~27 blocks (9 avenues and each avenue is about 3 blocks) = ~10,500 - 14,000

@ EngPhD

You're correct. I realized that after I had already posted my answer. It's not exactly 2 sides per square block though. It varies depending on the area and its shape.

I was asked how much I would charge to clean every window in NYC.

"I don't expect to have to answer that question until my account here blows up, so lets move on, shall we?"

CASH CAB!

There is only one library in Boston. There used to be two, but one of them burned down and every book was lost. Which is a shame because they hadn't even finished coloring them yet.

Compare Boston to your own town. IE in my town, there is 1 library for about 10,000 people. Boston has about 620,000 people so I'd guess about 60.

Edit: Forget my initial post

I'm way off I realize. Harvard has 90 libraries alone.

Are you counting elementary and secondary schools? My relatively small college had 3 libraries...think this is too low.

There are hundreds of libraries located in Metropolitan Boston. There are over 50 libraries in the Harvard University system alone.

therock555guesstimation

Would ding you for using guesstimate, irregardless of your other qualifications/answers.