IIM interviews are not just based on your academic performance or resume. They're based on your thou...
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What This Puzzle Tests during the IIM Interview?
This is not a test of baking. It is about:
- Geometric visualization
- Logical progression
- Understanding patterns
- Creative thinking with constraints
What was the IIM Interview Question?
Question - What is the maximum number of pieces you can get with 4 straight cuts of a cake?
Here is the Step- By -Step solution of the interview question
Let us consider what happens as we add more straight cuts:
| No. of Cuts | Maximum Pieces |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 15 |
While this may seem random, there is actually an underlying principle to this - and it is a popular principle in mathematical puzzles.
Conclusion
This IIM-style puzzle illustrates how not a whole lot can prepare you for surface-based thinking. Whether it was a cake or a case study, the tricky part is literally deciphering, remaining inquisitive, and pushing through the mental barriers.
So next time you're asked a rather straightforward looking question in an interview - don't only just answer it. Deconstruct it. Investigate. Blow them away.
Because sometimes, the difference of 8 and 15, is the difference of a good answer and a great one.