Cracking MathWorks Software Engineer Interviews: Greedy Logic Challenges in Java/C++

mathworks | Software Engineer | Interview Experience

Interview Date: Not specified
Result: Not specified
Difficulty: Not specified

Interview Process

The interview process consisted of multiple rounds, including a technical assessment focused on problem-solving using Java or C++. The total duration was approximately 80 minutes.

Technical Questions

  1. Largest Subset
    In a scheduling system, there are n events represented by two arrays, start and finish, both of size n. A subset of these events is considered high-priority if at least one event within it overlaps or intersects with every other event in the subset. Determine the maximum size of a high-priority subset of events.

    • Example:
      • n = 4
      • start = [1, 2, 3, 4]
      • finish = [2, 3, 5, 5]
      • The largest high-priority subset is {[2, 3], [3, 5], [4, 5]}.
  2. Balancing Teams
    A sports coach must ensure that two teams in a competition are equally strong. Teams A and B have n and m players respectively, with skill levels stored in arrays teamA and teamB. A 0 value indicates that the team lacks a player in that position. The coach wants to add players in each empty position such that the teams have equal total skill levels. Return the minimum possible equal sum or -1 if such a sum is not possible.

    • Example:
      • teamA = [5, 10, 0, 4]
      • teamB = [2, 4, 0, 5, 0]
      • Add a player of skill level 1 in teamA, and players of skill levels 3 and 6 in teamB to achieve equal sums.
  3. Logic Question
    There are two horizontal rows of four students each, sitting opposite each other. The following conditions apply:

    • A stands opposite B and is in the third position to the right of C.
    • An extreme position in row 1 is occupied by D.
    • B, E, and F stand in the same row.
    • Who stands in one of the extreme positions in row 2?

Tips & Insights

Familiarize yourself with Java or C++ syntax before the interview, as the technical assessment will require you to code in one of these languages. Practice solving problems related to scheduling and team balancing to prepare effectively.