Whenever you're ready, walk me through how you'd approach this.
Strange Question - Why are manhole covers round?
Explain your reasoning clearly. You may discuss practical, engineering, safety, manufacturing, or maintenance considerations, but state your assumptions and distinguish the strongest reasons from secondary benefits. The interviewer is assessing how you approach an unfamiliar question, organize possibilities, and communicate a concise conclusion. A strong response should avoid guessing what answer the interviewer wants, identify the primary safety rationale, and acknowledge that multiple factors may contribute.