I started by breaking it into chunks: how many people are in the park, what fraction are jogging, and how far does a typical jogger go.
Break the problem into demand-side factors: estimate the number of joggers in Central Park on a given day, then multiply by the average distance each jogger runs. Use a top-down approach with reasonable assumptions and segment the park by time of day and areas to refine the estimate.
Pro tip: State your assumptions clearly and round numbers to make calculations easy; the interviewer cares more about your structured thinking than the exact number. Also, consider seasonal and weather variations to show adaptability.
Ask clarifying questions to define 'a given day' (e.g., weekday vs. weekend, season, weather) and what counts as a jogger (e.g., people running for exercise vs. walking).
Estimate the daily foot traffic in Central Park and the proportion that are joggers. Consider peak hours, park entrances, and popular running loops.
Determine the typical distance a jogger runs in Central Park, using knowledge of common running routes (e.g., the 6-mile loop) and adjusting for different runner types.
Multiply the number of joggers by the average distance to get total miles. Sanity-check the result against known data (e.g., park size, event participation).
Segment by time of day, day of week, or weather to see how the estimate changes, and discuss potential sources of error or additional data that could improve accuracy.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.