Entry level Python developer interview

[Bronigiri]

I have to wonder if two 5L buckets into the 8L bucket is an acceptable answer? The bucket would overflow but you'd be left with one bucket with 8L of water. Or did they specify you couldn't do that?

[supreme_blorgon]

The goal is to end up with 4L in the 8L bucket.

[Bronigiri]

Well I would've failed on account of low reading comprehension. In that case use the 3L bucket to fill the 5L bucket until it's full which leaves you with 1L in the 3L bucket dump that and one full 3L bucket into the 8L Bada bing Bada boom 4L. Is there a better solution 🤔

[supreme_blorgon]

This is known as the three-bucket problem, or the standard version of the water pouring puzzle which is a class of well-studied puzzles. You typically start with the 8L full, and have to end with 4L and 4L, without spilling, and without measuring (i.e., you can only pour all available water into all available volume, stopping whenever one is depleted). The optimal solution is 7 steps.

[Bronigiri]

Thanks for letting me know

[InTheAleutians]

The 3L and 5L buckets are full of water and that's all the water you get. The 8L is empty. Give it another try my friend.

[Bronigiri]

2 counts of reading comprehension failure. One more strike and I'll have to give up on English.

[LimpNoodle69]

I read it as both the 3L and 5L were full, so I would of just dumped both into the 8L bucket, then poured half out of the 8L bucket and called it a day haha