Verabrede dich zum Casen über das Meeting-Board, nimm an Diskussionen in unserem Consulting Q&A teil und finde gleichgesinnte Interview-Partner:innen, um dich auszutauschen und gemeinsam zu üben!
Zurück zur Übersicht

Brain Teaser Cases

Hey guys,

I recently came across this brain teaser sort of case prompt. Can somebody throw some light on how to handle such cases & esp. this one.

Case Prompt

An asteroid is going to hit the earth and destroy 100% of it. You have several options: create a missile to destroy it (blowing it into several particles which will still impact the earth but destroy only 50%), or create a missile to push it out of the way (this only has a 50% chance of working though). Which alternative do you pick?

I do understand that one main purpose of such cases is to check candidate's creativity. But the candidate still has to pick one alternative so how should he/she decide the alternative here?

2
1,8k
18
Schreibe die erste Antwort!
Bisher hat niemand auf diese Frage reagiert.
Beste Antwort
Ian
Coach
am 18. Aug. 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

I have a question for you: What's the expected value (EV) in each of these scenarios?

They're the same. As such, no, it's not succifient to lay out estimation of probability.

I have another question for you: did you clarify the objective?

Clarify objective - are we trying to save humanity? Are we ok with living with 50% of the population dead?

It's all about objective here...the rest follows.

I won't provide a further framework as i think you should create it yourself with this objective in mind....post it and we'll review :)

Additionally, I've created a case with a very similar sort of dilema/thinking. Try it to see how you might think about the entire problem:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/brain-teaser/beginner/coronavirus-times-covid-19-brainteaser-194

Pedro
Coach
bearbeitet am 18. Aug. 2021
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

I think this is more about  considering the consequences. You should build a decision tree here.

Regarding your thought process, I would expect something around the lines below.

Option 1: What does it mean to be impacted by a 50% smaller asteroid? Annihilation or survival? And what kind of survival? 

Being hit by a 50% smaller asteroid does not mean suffering a 50% smaller outcome. It may mean the exact same outcome (e.g. annihilation) or it may mean a much smaller outcome (some relevant damage but no threat to humankind or to life on earth).

If it makes no difference (between the 100% and the 50% asteroid), option 2 is better as you have a 50% chance of survival. 

If it makes a difference, then you would rather have a 100% chance of survival (even if you have to deal with a tough aftermath) vs. a 50% chance of total destruction.

Ähnliche Fragen
Consulting
How should I explain a change in course at university? Will it be asked of me?
am 14. Apr. 2025
Global
10
3,7k
Beste Antwort von
Alessa
Coach
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free
81
10 Antworten
3,7k Aufrufe
+7
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
am 24. Apr. 2025
Global
5
3,9k
Beste Antwort von
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
42
5 Antworten
3,9k Aufrufe
+2
Consulting
Want IAPP AIGP (Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional) Exam sample Questions
am 14. Apr. 2025
Global
4
2,5k
Beste Antwort von
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
56
4 Antworten
2,5k Aufrufe
+1
Wie wahrscheinlich ist es, dass du uns einem Freund oder Kommilitonen empfiehlst?
0 = Nicht wahrscheinlich
10 = Sehr wahrscheinlich
Vielen Dank für dein Feedback! Deine Meinung hilft uns, PrepLounge noch besser zu machen.