of all the questions that i've been asked during my recent "job hunting" experience, one of them really stand out. and the question is,"why is a manhole round?". the heck! honestly, im shocked that they asked me that question and i had a "what?!, why nga ba?!" look on my face. heheh. after a while, i came up with a somewhat "stupid" answer. i told them that,"it is round because it is easier for people to access it if it is round, they can make siksik of their bulky body of theirs to fit in it." and of course i answered with a smile and a somewhat confident look. they gave me a nice smile and told me that "people will have an easier time accessing it if it is a square.". so i think it's their nice way to tell me that my answer is wrong. they told me think more deeply, i came up with the stupidest answer that came up to my mind. "i think they drop something round , and they made something to cover that up. i think that's the legend of a manhole." and with a smile and a stupid smile. heheh. we all laughed after that and continued with the interview. after few more questions and answers, the usual thing happened during the interview. they asked me if i have any questions, and i asked the answer to the "manhole" because i cant sleep if i have answered questions in my mind. they told me that it is a secret, and i have to research and wished me luck on looking for the answer. heheh. the interview ended. and i was on my way out of the building, i suddenly realized one thing the answer! i hurriedly got up to the elevator back to their space and saw the two interviewers in the reception. i told them i have the answer,"it is round because it is "hole", man-"hole" so it's supposed to be round!". they laughed and told me it's still not the answer. i begged them to give me the answer,they told me to Google it and wished me luck again. after that i thank them for considering my application, and told them i really enjoy the interview. so as soon as i got home i turn the PC and started looking for answer and this is what i found:
"So, why is a manhole cover round? Heck if I know, but here are some good answers that I've heard over the years: 1. Because the hole is round (duh!) 2. Because animals dig round holes, so it feels natural to humans too 3. Because a circle offsets the straight lines of a city 4. Because it is easier to roll the cover some distance than carry it 5. Because it won't fall into the hole - but, the same is true for an equilateral triangle 6. Because it is easier to pour hot metal into a circular mold than one with sharp corners"
http://blogs.msdn.com/bgroth/archive/2004/09/27/235071.aspx
"Correct answer: It is impossible to drop a round lid into a smaller round hole. It is because round is the only shape that if turned or flipped over, it still retains the same length across its center. If you used a square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon or any other shaped lid, it could be rotated and fall into the hole. This can't happen with the round shape. And I have worked for the phone company for the last 22 years, yes it is a pain to get a rectangular lid that weighs 100 lbs, out of a 6 foot deep hole by yourself. Two more correct answers A round cover can be moved by rolling it on its edge. A round cover contains less metal than a same-sized cover of any other shape. "
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_a_manhole_cover_round
i realized that two of my answers are correct. heheh.
and look at this.
" Why is a manhole cover round? Have you gotten an oddball question like this during an interview? There is no correct answer. An interviewer would ask something like this to see how you react and if your answer showed good reasoning. The wrong thing to do would be to dismiss the question as a joke and not take it seriously. If you are interviewing in person for a sales job, the interviewer might hand you something like a pen and say, "Sell it to me." She wants to see how you think on your feet and how you present yourself and the pen. If you do get the manhole cover question, one that seems unrelated to the job or even one you weren't expecting, pause and say, "That's a good question." That gives you a few seconds to think before answering. When you make up an answer for the manhole question, speak confidently like you are the expert! It may just get you the job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak"
http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/rvwork/2008/06/why-is-manhole-cover-round.html
did i give a good reasoning with my answers?
so if ever you will be asked with this question just think of a very logical and simple answer. heheh.
"So, why is a manhole cover round? Heck if I know, but here are some good answers that I've heard over the years: 1. Because the hole is round (duh!) 2. Because animals dig round holes, so it feels natural to humans too 3. Because a circle offsets the straight lines of a city 4. Because it is easier to roll the cover some distance than carry it 5. Because it won't fall into the hole - but, the same is true for an equilateral triangle 6. Because it is easier to pour hot metal into a circular mold than one with sharp corners"
http://blogs.msdn.com/bgroth/archive/2004/09/27/235071.aspx
"Correct answer: It is impossible to drop a round lid into a smaller round hole. It is because round is the only shape that if turned or flipped over, it still retains the same length across its center. If you used a square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon or any other shaped lid, it could be rotated and fall into the hole. This can't happen with the round shape. And I have worked for the phone company for the last 22 years, yes it is a pain to get a rectangular lid that weighs 100 lbs, out of a 6 foot deep hole by yourself. Two more correct answers A round cover can be moved by rolling it on its edge. A round cover contains less metal than a same-sized cover of any other shape. "
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_a_manhole_cover_round
i realized that two of my answers are correct. heheh.
and look at this.
" Why is a manhole cover round? Have you gotten an oddball question like this during an interview? There is no correct answer. An interviewer would ask something like this to see how you react and if your answer showed good reasoning. The wrong thing to do would be to dismiss the question as a joke and not take it seriously. If you are interviewing in person for a sales job, the interviewer might hand you something like a pen and say, "Sell it to me." She wants to see how you think on your feet and how you present yourself and the pen. If you do get the manhole cover question, one that seems unrelated to the job or even one you weren't expecting, pause and say, "That's a good question." That gives you a few seconds to think before answering. When you make up an answer for the manhole question, speak confidently like you are the expert! It may just get you the job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak"
http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/rvwork/2008/06/why-is-manhole-cover-round.html
did i give a good reasoning with my answers?
so if ever you will be asked with this question just think of a very logical and simple answer. heheh.
