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2004 AMC 10A Problem 5

Problem 5 of 25EasierGeometryCounting & Probability

A set of three points is chosen randomly from the grid shown. Each three-point set has the same probability of being chosen. What is the probability that the points lie on the same straight line?

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Solution

The number of three-point sets is (93)=84. \binom{9}{3} = 84. The collinear triples are the 33 rows, the 33 columns, and the 22 main diagonals, for a total of 8.8. The probability is therefore 884=221. \dfrac{8}{84} = \dfrac{2}{21}. Thus, the correct answer is C.

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Concepts: basic probability · combinations · lattice point

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.