Is it really wrong though?
In this case maybe you could game the system.
What if you combine binary search and game theory?(knowing that he’s trying to beat me and that binary search is my best strategy I have information reducing the randomness of the selection. I know Ballmer is going to choose worst case numbers like 58)
begin with binary search to narrow down the range, then within the range guess the binary search worst case answers. It’s still not guaranteed to win, but might be fun for the chance of taking his money.
Although leading by telling him that the worst case for the optimal algorithm of binary search on n=100 also gets you the job at Microsoft which is worth more than the two bucks you might earn playing the game.
What if you combine binary search and game theory?(knowing that he’s trying to beat me and that binary search is my best strategy I have information reducing the randomness of the selection. I know Ballmer is going to choose worst case numbers like 58)
begin with binary search to narrow down the range, then within the range guess the binary search worst case answers. It’s still not guaranteed to win, but might be fun for the chance of taking his money.
Although leading by telling him that the worst case for the optimal algorithm of binary search on n=100 also gets you the job at Microsoft which is worth more than the two bucks you might earn playing the game.