∆ in a O - 2

Probability Level pending

3 distinct points are randomly chosen on a circle. What is the probability that they form a right angled triangle?


The answer is 0.

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2 solutions

Jordan Cahn
Oct 23, 2018

A right triangle inscribed in a circle must have a diameter as its hypotenuse.

Choose point A A randomly. The probability of point B B being on the other end of A A 's diameter is 0 0 (since choosing a specific point out of all points on the circle is a zero probability event). Similarly, if B B is not on A A 's diameter, the probability of C C being on either A A 's or B B 's diameter is likewise zero. 0 + 1 0 = 0 0+1\cdot0 = \boxed{0} .

Parth Sankhe
Oct 21, 2018

The answer is zero because the sum of probabilities for an acute angled triangle and an obtuse angled triangle is unity. Thus there is no space for a right angled triangle.

So remember, the next time you find a right triangle in a circle, just know that it was completely accidental.

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