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A mathematician, engineer, and statistician are interviewed for the same job.

Each of them is individually asked only one question.

The mathematician is interviewed first and is asked, “What is 2 + 2?” to which he answers, “A simple problem in which we must prove the identity of the addition operator. I can show you the proof; I'll start with L'Hospital's theorem. Can I borrow your chalk and blackboard?”

The engineer is second and is offered the same question. “Your problem provides only a single digit of significance; I'd have to say the answer is 4, plus or minus 1.”

The third applicant. “What's 2 + 2?” The statistician gets up from his chair, closes the window blinds, then closes the door, and slyly asks the interviewers, “What do YOU want the answer to be?”

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