How Would You Move Mt. Fuji is actually the title of a book released by Microsoft Corporation outlining hiring practices to find the best and brightest young talent. As a member of the SPO Financial Management Association (FMA) I have the opportunity to learn from the very wise and experienced professor Stephen Kamp. Professor Kamp held a very entertaining seminar pointing out solutions to some of the most difficult questions in interviews today. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting questions and see how you, the reader react to questions in the interview world.
1. Why are manhole covers (sewers) shaped as circles?
2. How many quarters, stacked by the ridge, would it take to equal the height of the Empire State Building?
3. Estimate the market for disposable diapers in China.
4. How would you move Mt. Fuji?
Are you as clueless as I was when I first received the questions? Look at the bright side, you are being asked the questions here and not in an interview. How about I outline some tricks to help deal with these questions before structuring a solution.
To figure out the answer to these questions let’s look at why they are asked. The truth is no one really cares about the real answer. The questions are meant to see the interviewee deal with pressure. The questions allow the interviewer to see how the individual will develop a plan and implement that plan for a solution. Always remember that you are in charge. A lack of details in the questions are a good thing!! You need to be able to control all assumptions. Do not make the process more difficult for yourself. Without details, you are able to make estimations that will better serve yourself in finding a solution.
Ok, so we have a better foundation at answering these questions. Now we will solve these puzzling riddles.
1. Why are manhole covers shaped as circles?
The solution is very actually very simple, when learned of course. A circle is the same in diameter at every angle. Why is this important? Because it is impossible to drop down the sewer hole. A square, on the other hand, would drop through the opening if put into a diagonal position.
2. How many quarters, stacked by the ridge, would it take to equal the height of the Empire State Building?
Let’s remember the good advice from our professor. We are in control of the assumptions. We’ll assume the quarter is an inch in diameter. Next we assume the Empire State Building is 100 stories high with each story equaling 10 feet.
12 inches=1 ft., 12 quarters=1ft, 12q x 10 ft (per floor)= 120 q per floor.
120q x 100floors= 12000 quarters!
3. Estimate the market for disposable diapers in China.
Wow, I hope you remember your cultures class. Luckily I do, and I know China has a population of around 1.3 billion. 1.3 is difficult to use so we will use 1 billion. Guys and girls are most likely equal so that is approximately 500 million women with 20% (estimation) able to give children. Now we have 100 million able mothers with 10% estimated having children. That means there are approximately 10 million babies. Children use around four diapers a day times 350 (365 is too difficult for mental math) equates to 1400 diapers a year. Take the 1400 diapers a year per child times 10 million kids and we come to a solution of 14,000,000,000 diapers per year!
4. How would you move Mt. Fuji?
Although you could say use photo shop, that answer would not hold much water. I will not actually go through the demographics of this answer because there is really not one answer! That’s the beauty. If you really want an answer email me at kyle.sawdey@temple.edu and I will figure out the math.
The math may seem overwhelming considering the circumstances but finding solutions can be done. I did the entire math here without a calculator because I made my own assumptions to help find an easy path to a solution. So the next time you find yourself in a tricky interview just take a breath, relax, make your own assumptions, and develop a plan towards a solution. Remember no one is interested in the right answer, just the right idea.
Kyle Sawdey
The Fox Den