Microsoft Interview Questions

[nodrew]

I had an interview with Kellog a little over a year ago where I was asked some very strange questions. They had told me that they had found out that they were some of the questions that Microsoft used for their hiring practices. At the time I thought it was very strange to basically be asked story problems/riddles in an interview, though now I kind of appreciate what they were trying to do. They were trying to see how well I thought on my feet. In fact they were quite surprised by how quickly I came up with the answers...

Microsoft Interview Questions

Here's a link for all you boys and girls, just in case you find yourself with an interviewer who thinks he's gonna be clever.

There are definitely some interesting questions in here. It really tells you alot about a company when they use these for determining employee eligability.

[Fierce Critter]

I wish the answers were listed. But I'm happy I knew the answer to the first one. But you won't believe me if I mention I happened to be thinking about that question in the shower the other day...

[Jarodaka]

Why is a manhole cover round?

If it was a polygon it would be possible for the manhole cover to be dropped into the manhole thereby hurting the person working the manhole. Since it's a circle this is geometrically impossible. ya know, in case you were wondering.

That is way more thought about manholes than I ever wanted...

[Fierce Critter]

Right. But don't forget - it's the lip inside the hole itself that's smaller than the cover itself which keeps the cover from falling in.

And for further clarification - it's the fact that a circle is the same size across no matter which dirction you measure it, unlike say a square, which is bigger diagonnally than it is across, that makes it unable to fall below that lip. A triangle would work, too - at least one with rounded corners. But I forget the name for that shape...

[nodrew]

That and the fact that a round manhole cover, being exactly the same size all the way around can be placed no matter the position, as long as it lies flat, where as a square or triangular one would have to be placed down exactly.

[Fierce Critter]

Manhole covers seem to be more complex than most men I've met.

Marry a manhole cover, ladies!!!

[nodrew]

Wow, what a honeymoon....

[Class-Punk]

[n0Mad]

Interviewer: "I'm thinking of a number. What is it?"

Me: "Pi."

Interviewer: "I'm sorry, you're wrong. It was 12."

Me: "What is the value of Pi?"

Interviewer: "3.14"

Me: "Ah, so you are thinking of Pi or else how would you recall the value?"

Interviewer: "Well I am now but I wasn't then."

Me: "So what's more important - being able to read your mind or being able to control it?"