Answer regression error and coin toss expectation
Company: C3 AI
Role: Data Scientist
Category: Statistics & Math
Difficulty: medium
Interview Round: Technical Screen
# Answer regression error and coin toss expectation
### Multiple choice: Regression assumptions + expectation
Answer the following.
#### 1) Linear vs. Logistic Regression “error” statements
Which statement is most correct?
A. In Linear Regression, errors are assumed to follow a normal distribution, while in Logistic Regression, the outcome likelihood is Bernoulli/binomial.
B. In Linear Regression, we minimize squared errors, while in Logistic Regression, we minimize squared errors as well.
C. In Linear Regression, residuals are always binary, while in Logistic Regression, residuals are continuous.
D. Both Linear and Logistic Regression assume errors are homoscedastic and normally distributed.
#### 2) Expected tosses for 3 heads in a row
What is the expected number of fair coin tosses needed to get **three heads in a row**?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 14
D. 20
### Constraints & Assumptions
- Preserve the scope, facts, inputs, and requested outputs from the prompt above.
- If the prompt leaves a detail unspecified, state a reasonable assumption before relying on it.
- Keep the answer interview-ready: concise enough to present, but concrete enough to implement or evaluate.
### Clarifying Questions to Ask
- Clarify the random variables, distributional assumptions, independence assumptions, and desired output.
- Show enough derivation for the interviewer to follow the reasoning.
- Explain how you would validate the result with simulation or sensitivity checks.
### What a Strong Answer Covers
- A correct setup with definitions, formulas, and boundary conditions.
- A step-by-step derivation or estimation plan.
- Interpretation of the result, including uncertainty and practical limitations.
- Checks for assumptions, edge cases, and numerical stability.
### Follow-up Questions
- How would the result change if the assumptions were relaxed?
- Can you verify the answer with a simulation?
- What is the most likely source of estimation error?
Quick Answer: This interview question evaluates statistical assumptions, formulas, estimation strategy, uncertainty, edge cases, and interpretation in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer for Answer regression error and coin toss expectation states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.