A piece of string is cut into two at a point selected at random. Fing the probability that the longer part is at least 5 times as long as the shorter part.
2007-06-09 23:05:53 · 2 answers · asked by Alex W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
For the longer part to be at least five times the length of the shorter part, the shorter part must be no more than one sixth of the total length of string. The cut must therefore be made less than one sixth from one end or less than one sixth from the other. Two times one sixth is one third, so the odds are one in three.
2007-06-09 23:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
P = 1/6
(When the string is cut at the 1/6 point, the longer part is 5 times as long as the shorter part. For a shorter cut the longer part is greater than 5 times the shorter part.)
edit:
I stand corrected,. You can do it to the other end as well. P = 1/3
2007-06-09 23:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋