That’s exactly the path I would have gone, ask clarifying question to confuse the interviewers:
- Is my boat actually floating in the lake?
- Is the lake filled with water?
- If yes, what is the temperature gradient of that water from top to bottom?
- How deep is the lake at the spot the ball is dropped?
- What is the current time and phase of the moon, and what are the exact coordinates of the ball drop?
- Are we doing this during some « end of the world gravitational collapse » event?
This would show them three things (which they did were not trying to find out, or maybe):
1. I think these questions are stupid.
2. I know that clear requirements and edge-cases are important
3. I’m an asshole and possibly not fun at parties
This would show them three things (which they did were not trying to find out, or maybe): 1. I think these questions are stupid. 2. I know that clear requirements and edge-cases are important 3. I’m an asshole and possibly not fun at parties