Fermi Problems / Questions
In the 1940s and 1950s Enrico Fermi, a Noble laureate physicist used to challenge his University of Chicago students with ‘Fermi Questions’. Characteristically it involves making logical assumptions to mostly hypothetical problems that seems difficult to calculate given the amount of restricted information available in hand. Fermi problems / questions are the in thing for selection interviews and management schools are preparing their students to face Fermi questions during selection interviews.
Questions like ‘What is a annual requirement of Golf Balls in India?’ may not have any accurate answer and may have many logical answers. One of such possible logical answer can be approached by identifying the number of golf courses and clubs in India, the number of golfers and an average consumption of golf balls per member. The methodology used to arrive at solution sounds logical than the actual answer and such answer will impress the interviewer.
Candidates logical reasoning, analytical and quick decision making skills are the traits which are vital in today’s corporate world to separate great candidates from the many good ones and Fermi questions helps to evaluate degree of practical knowledge, mathematical skills, ability to deal with uncertainty and make rough estimations, from very little data. This process encourages multiple approaches and emphasizes the significance of a ‘process’ rather than a ‘solution’ and promotes non traditional problem solving strategies.
But interviewer must select and use Fermi Questions carefully. They should not pose blatantly unfair questions and should have some idea of what is good answer.
Courtesy – The Times of India.
From India, Pune
31In the 1940s and 1950s Enrico Fermi, a Noble laureate physicist used to challenge his University of Chicago students with ‘Fermi Questions’. Characteristically it involves making logical assumptions to mostly hypothetical problems that seems difficult to calculate given the amount of restricted information available in hand. Fermi problems / questions are the in thing for selection interviews and management schools are preparing their students to face Fermi questions during selection interviews.
Questions like ‘What is a annual requirement of Golf Balls in India?’ may not have any accurate answer and may have many logical answers. One of such possible logical answer can be approached by identifying the number of golf courses and clubs in India, the number of golfers and an average consumption of golf balls per member. The methodology used to arrive at solution sounds logical than the actual answer and such answer will impress the interviewer.
Candidates logical reasoning, analytical and quick decision making skills are the traits which are vital in today’s corporate world to separate great candidates from the many good ones and Fermi questions helps to evaluate degree of practical knowledge, mathematical skills, ability to deal with uncertainty and make rough estimations, from very little data. This process encourages multiple approaches and emphasizes the significance of a ‘process’ rather than a ‘solution’ and promotes non traditional problem solving strategies.
But interviewer must select and use Fermi Questions carefully. They should not pose blatantly unfair questions and should have some idea of what is good answer.
Courtesy – The Times of India.
From India, Pune
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