I've probably sat through 500 or more interviews over the last 15 years, and the percentage of candidates who would approach such a question with a blank, not incredulous, but blank look is utterly astounding.
Someone who didn't ask about what kind of bus is under the impression that, as it's just a toy problem, the kind of bus doesn't really matter, and they're just supposed to pick an average kind of bus and play along with the stupid game.
a) No, it's not the first thing that springs to everybody's mind. Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually.
b) No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming.
Can you explain in more detail about what experience lets you know this?
> No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming.
Also I'd like to know how you know these people are 'overwhelmed' with the problem itself, rather than just with not understanding the point of it or not knowing whether its OK to make assumptions or ask questions about the type of the bus etc.