Mock interview Videos and Commentary
In the video below, two Cambridge University interviewers demonstrate what an online interview might look like with the help of an undergraduate.
We strongly suggest that you have a go at the two questions before you watch the interview. The two questions were:
- Which is bigger for very large $n$, $2^{2^{2^{n}}}$ or $100^{100^n}$?
- Sketch $y = \ln x$ and $y=ax$ on the same graph. How many intersections are there?
In the video below, Claire discusses the Mock interview and discusses the problems in a little more depth.
In the next video Dr Tom Crawford shows how an "in-person" interview might look (although there is only one interviewer rather than the two which would be more usual). In an in-person interview you would probably be writing on paper rather than using a tablet!
Have a go at the questions before watching the video. You might like to look at questions 1-3 first and then watch the video up to the point where the fourth question is explained.
- How many 2x1 dominoes do I need to I cover an 8x8 chessboard?
- Can I cover a 8x8 chessboard with two opposite corners missing with 2x1 dominoes?
- A domino is made up of two 1x1 squares next to each other (and there is only one possible shape a domino can be). A tetromino is made up of four 1x1 squares. How many different tetromino shapes are there? Reflections count as different shapes, but rotations do not.
- If you take k copies of each different tetromino shape, can you make a square?
