A classic interview brain teaser reportedly used by Amazon challenges candidates to solve a gold bar payment puzzle in just seconds. The scenario: you hire a worker for 5 days, paying 1 unit of gold each day. You have a single gold bar worth 5 units. The question: what is the minimum number of cuts needed to pay the worker correctly every day?
The clever answer is just two cuts. By cutting the bar into pieces of 1, 2, and 2 units (or alternatively, 1, 1, and 3), you can combine pieces to make exact daily payments. For example, with pieces of 1, 2, and 2: day 1 give the 1-unit piece; day 2 give the 2-unit piece and take back the 1; day 3 give the 1 again; day 4 give the other 2 and take back the 1; day 5 give the 1. This puzzle tests logical thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making—skills highly valued in tech interviews.
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