Meta | E5 | London | reject

1. Screen: Problem 1: Input: [4, [5, 6]] Output: 4 + 2 * 5 + 2 * 6 = 26

    Input: [8, 4, [5, [9], 3], 6]
    Output: 8 + 4 + 2 * 5 + 3 * 9 + 2 * 3 + 6 = 61
    
    Problem 2: 
    "abbba" => "aa" => ""
    "aba" => "aba"
    "abb" => "a"
    "abcddcba" =>
    
    remove duplicates
    
    After 2 days, I received a call for a virtual onsite interview.
    
   

Onsite

1. Coding 1: 1. Find K closest planets to a star knowing the location of the star and all the planets in the system. 2. You are given n integer intervals [a_i, b_i] on the real axes, and the absolute value of the coordinates is bounded by M. Determine a point that belongs to the maximum number of intervals. Point x belongs to the interval [a, b] if a <= x <= b.

   Input: [1,4], [2,5], [9,12], [5,9], [5,12]
   Output: 5
       
       I was unfortunately unable to provide the optimal solution for this, which I believe is the reason for rejection.
       
   

2. Coding 2:

   1. Ocean view
   2. Given a string that can contain parentheses, return a string with balanced parentheses by removing the fewest characters possible. You cannot add anything to the string. If there are multiple possible solutions, you can return either of them.

I was able to solve both questions optimally.

3. System design: Seats booking system with real-time notifications to waiting users for the same seats. I was able to solve the problems and had a good discussion; the interviewer seemed happy.

4. Behavioral: Typical conflict situation, project and responsibilities, disagreements, etc. It was a nice discussion; the interviewer even said these were some good stories.

    Unfortunately, after 7-8 days, I received an email stating that I did not clear the onsite interview and that they would not be able to provide feedback.  I believe it was due to the coding round, but I am unsure.  I was disappointed by the outcome.