QUESTION 10 OF 37

How would you calculate the number of manholes in New York City?

In mechanical engineering interviews, you'll occasionally be asked a more abstract question that is difficult to prepare for on the spot. In general, the interviewer is more interested in understanding your thought process than getting a perfect answer. It is often impossible to solve these questions directly. In this case, start by establishing a strategy and naming your assumptions along the way. After the approach is defined, make an educated guess on what the answer is.

"New York City is composed of five boroughs: the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Each neighborhood is broken into city blocks. Manholes are used to access the sewage, plumbing, and electrical connections below the street. Assuming each block is a rectangle, I would guess that each side of the block has a single manhole, giving 4 manholes per block. I would guess that there are 100,000 blocks across all of New York City, and therefore approximately 400,000 manholes in New York City."

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Mechanical Engineer Mock Interview

How would you calculate the number of manholes in New York City?

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37 Mechanical Engineer Interview Questions & Answers