>http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2008/12/09/sql-server-find-table-rowcount-without-using-t-sql-and-without-opening-table/
>
>

select sysobjects.name, sysindexes.rowcnt
>from sysobjects
>	inner join sysindexes on sysindexes.id=sysobjects.id
>where sysobjects.type='u' and indid < 2
>

>I'm tempted to say that it is not important to know an immediate answer to such question in the presence of Google. But at the back of my mind an answer is hidden: it is important :)

In case of the actual interview you may not have an access to google.