The Fermi Playbook: Estimate Anything: The 7-Step Framework for Science Olympiad, Case Interviews, and Quantitative Reasoning — with 250+ Worked Problems Paperback – March 4, 2026

Master the skill that wins Science Olympiad medals and cracks consulting interviews.When a judge asks "How many piano tuners work in Chicago?" — or an interviewer says "How many gas stations are in the US?" — most people freeze. Not you. Not after this book.The Fermi Playbook gives you a single repeatable system for estimating anything, fast, structured, and within an order of magnitude. No calculator. No internet. Just a framework that works on every problem you'll ever face.What's inside:The 7-Step Fermi Framework — Clarify, Identify, Model, Decompose, Estimate, Combine, Check. Every worked problem uses it.12 core technique chapters — dimensional analysis, orders of magnitude, the geometric mean secret, assumption defense, stock vs. flow, decomposition, geometry shortcuts, rates, probability, uncertainty, and presenting like a champion9 domain chapters, 100+ fully worked problems — People, Transportation, Food & Water, Energy, Technology, Business, Health, Space, and SportsMistake Catalog — the 20 most common Fermi errors with exact fixesScience Olympiad Strategy Guide — how to run 30 questions in 30 minutesConsulting & Interview Guide — how McKinsey, BCG, and Google evaluate your estimationWhat Judges Actually Score — the rubric separating a 6/10 from a 9/10Appendices — 100 essential reference numbers, printable templates, formulas Free digital companion at synapseacademicpress.com/fermi:Pattern libraries, 5 full timed practice sets (200+ additional problems), speed drills, and an AI Tutor that generates unlimited personalized Fermi problems with coaching feedback.Who this is for:Science Olympiad competitors at invitational, regional, state, and national levelConsulting candidates targeting McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and tech firmsAP Physics and quantitative reasoning studentsCoaches and teachers running estimation curriculum Every other Fermi book gives you problems. This one gives you a system — with a visual solution format that trains your eye to produce competition-ready answers automatically. Read more