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SIG (Susquehanna)·Data Scientist·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

SIG (Susquehanna) threw a logic puzzle at me for a Data Scientist screen and it was the kind of thing that looks clean on paper until you're actually in it. One question, pure reasoning, no coding.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Three people (Asta, Bronya, and Clara) each have a different number of cats. Each person tells the truth when speaking to someone with fewer cats than them, and lies when speaking to someone with more cats. Given four statements they make to each other, and knowing not all statements are true, figure out how many cats Asta has.

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

This one took me way longer than I'd like to admit.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

First, clarify the exact statements and the truth/lie rule, then model the problem as a constraint satisfaction problem over the possible orderings of cat counts. Systematically test each ordering and use the 'not all statements are true' condition to eliminate inconsistent assignments, finally deducing Asta's cat count.

Pro tip: In constraint satisfaction problems, always state your assumptions and walk through a small example to demonstrate logical rigor; interviewers value clear reasoning over a lucky guess.

1. Clarify the problem

Restate the rules and list the four statements made by Asta, Bronya, and Clara. Confirm that each person's truthfulness depends on the relative number of cats of the listener.

2. Define variables and constraints

Let the number of cats be represented by variables A, B, C, all distinct. For each statement, determine the truth condition based on whether the speaker has more cats than the listener.

3. Enumerate possible orderings

There are 3! = 6 possible strict orderings of A, B, C. For each ordering, evaluate the truth value of each statement according to the rule.

4. Apply the 'not all true' condition

Eliminate any ordering where all four statements are true. The remaining orderings are candidates.

5. Deduce Asta's cat count

Among the valid orderings, check if Asta's number of cats is uniquely determined. If not, look for additional constraints or re-examine the statements for ambiguity.

Key Points to Mention

  • Constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) formulation
  • Truth-teller/liar logic based on relative cat counts
  • Systematic enumeration of possible orderings
  • Use of the 'not all statements are true' condition to prune solutions
  • Uniqueness of solution and potential ambiguity
  • Clear communication of logical steps

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.