I. Software is mathematics.
II. Mathematics are not patentable.
>> Software is not patentable.
Pick a premise and argue against it. Or, don't bother: you and the US legal system are in an argument against reality. It's not a winnable argument, but sense can take a long time to percolate through obstinate stupidity.
i'm not arguing for or against patents on software, mathematics or otherwise. I'm just saying that answering an interview question about how a particular thing might be done is not in violation of any patent laws. Replace "method for traversing linked lists" with "a new technique for cutting wood using a new tool" if you feel so strongly about software patents.
Pick a premise and argue against it. Or, don't bother: you and the US legal system are in an argument against reality. It's not a winnable argument, but sense can take a long time to percolate through obstinate stupidity.