At an interview, a friend of mine got handed a case by BCG in which he was expected to know the formula for Velocity in physics and other formulas from trigonometry. What is the point of this?

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Velocity is easy if you think about it. Take a car. How far does it travel (60miled) over what timeframe (1hr). Velocity is 60mph.

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^SC2 is right. velocity is a vector, speed is a scalar

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“Formula” for velocity?

There is no formula for velocity. Velocity is definitionally the rate of change of position, and that is the point. What BCG is filtering for is folks who can think about and understand the relationship between different numbers — how you might predict one will change when you know how another one is changing. We use this kind of numeracy literally every day in strategy consulting — you think about whether prices or volumes or costs should go up or down if X were to happen.

It’s not about knowing physics or trigonometry. It’s about basic numeracy. If you can’t figure out that “miles per hour” must mean that it’s a ratio with miles on the top and hours on the bottom, you’re not going to be successful as a strategy consultant.

Signed, a former MBB partner and former physics professor

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The ideal gas law isn’t physics, precisely because it cannot be explained from first principles. It’s an empirically observed set of ratios between different physical properties we’ve chosen to name. It’s possible to make a set of rough assumptions that let you intuit your way into how some of the relationships work, but that’s all.

You can derive almost all of physics from the quantum field theory formulation of the Standard Model — some of the fundamental particle masses and the mixing angles between the quark generations being pretty much the only factors you have to tune. You can do similar things starting with General Relativity. (You can’t do both at the same time, since we don’t have a unified theory, but all that tells us is that we’re not done figuring out physics yet.

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How can you graduate from high school without knowing these formulae?

v = d/t and worked on these when Kill Bill I was in theaters

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How do you graduate from high school thinking that velocity and speed are interchangeable? Be careful criticizing when you are wrong. d/t = speed not velocity.

Velocity has a directional component as well. Thanks for playing Director, Digital Transformation chief.

Every functional adult should know these. Not even hard just basic common sense or logic… Also BCG hires MBA candidates, who should have the competency of passing a GMAT math exam.

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Lol

This is an interesting take, B1. I'd assume it is easier to make the switch internally at MSFT than going from MBB to SO.

Velocity = Distance / time (first order derivative of distance or second order derivative of acceleration)

The rigor will insure that he/she submits timesheets on time 💩 💩 💩

What’s the vector Victor?…..

roger Roger!

funny

Only intellectuals get into BCG

Who doesn’t know those formulas? That is basic high school math and physics. I’d be concerned if someone doesn’t know those elements.

Elements?!?! We gotta know the damn periodic table now, too?!

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Can’t u ask for the formula

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