While we don't ask FizzBuzz in particular we have a question my manager asks: If you could fold a piece of paper 50 times, how tall would it be (very rough ballpark figure)?
On the assumption that your question is verbatim what you give applicants, I'd say your success rate would be low. Your question lacks appropriate definition to be solved, in it's current state.
You have multiple types of folds that could be made, variable on direction, orientation, and fold distance. The only one really pertinent to this problem is fold distance. A paper folded 50 times could be 51 * thickness, if you don't define that the paper must be folded in half each time. If you enforce that it must be folded in half it becomes: (2^folds) * thickness.
This is a pretty abrupt way to start off an interview. And I don't understand the point of this question w.r.t assessing someone's coding ability. Though I'd be curious to see if the success rate on that question and on a fizz buzz correlate.
Obviously, your rate would be low. The implied domain of the question would throw people off. The question isn't a good indicator if someone can program.
Why don't you ask your manager the following.
If 1/2x +1/2(1/2x + 1/2(1/2x +1/2(1/2x + ... = y,
then x = ?
If can't get it in 5 minutes, he is not fit for his job.
Perhaps if you show that you need (a) the thickness of paper and (b) the powers of too, you've shown the thinking ability to pass the question. The result value doesn't matter.
1/2x +1/2(1/2x + 1/2(1/2x +1/2(1/2x + ... = y
If x = 1,
then the equation likes this:
1/2 +1/2(1/2 + 1/2(1/2 +1/2(1/2 + ... = y
1/2 +1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32 + ... = y
y = 1 = x
y = x
You have multiple types of folds that could be made, variable on direction, orientation, and fold distance. The only one really pertinent to this problem is fold distance. A paper folded 50 times could be 51 * thickness, if you don't define that the paper must be folded in half each time. If you enforce that it must be folded in half it becomes: (2^folds) * thickness.