2015 AMC 10A Problem 25
Problem 25 of 25HarderCounting & Probability
Let be a square of side length Two points are chosen independently at random on the sides of The probability that the straight-line distance between the points is at least is where and are positive integers with What is
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Solution
Fix one of the two points. The second point is on the same side with probability , on an adjacent side with probability , and on the opposite side with probability .
On the same side, two coordinates are at distance at least when . This region consists of two right triangles with total area .
On adjacent sides, the distance has the form . The failing region is a quarter circle of radius , so the success probability is .
On opposite sides, the distance is always at least , so the success probability is . Therefore the desired probability is Hence .
Thus, A is the correct answer.