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Three sectors are chosen at random from circle C , C, having angles π 10 , 2 π 10 , 3 π 10 \frac{\pi}{10}, \frac{2\pi}{10}, \frac{3\pi}{10} respectively. The probability that these three sectors have a point in common other than the center of the circle can be expressed as a b \frac{a}{b} where a a and b b are coprime positive integers. What is the value of a + b ? a + b?

Details and assumptions

A circle sector is the portion of a disc that is enclosed by two radii and the arc. The angle of the sector is the central angle of the arc.


The answer is 411.

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2 solutions

Daniel Chiu
Aug 20, 2013

Fact: The probability two sectors with central angles α \alpha and β \beta intersect is α + β 2 π \dfrac{\alpha+\beta}{2\pi} .

This can easily be proven with a diagram. The second sector can be right to the left or right of the first, or anywhere in between. This results in an angle of α + β \alpha+\beta .

Now, to the problem. Fix the sector with central angle π 10 \dfrac{\pi}{10} , and call it A. Consider the sector with central angle 2 π 10 \dfrac{2\pi}{10} , and call it B. The third sector is C. The probability B intersects A is 3 20 \dfrac{3}{20} , by the fact above.

Now, let f f be the function that models the intersection of A and B for each position. Since area is linearly dependent on angle, f f first rises, stays constant, and then falls (draw it yourself; draw a circle, a sector, and see where the second sector can intersect the first). The graph looks like a hill.

Either way, the point is that the expected value for the area of the intersection is π 15 \dfrac{\pi}{15} . Now, by our fact above, the probability that C intersects our current intersection is 11 60 \dfrac{11}{60} . Once again, this is valid because area is linearly dependent on angle.

Our probability is, multiplying our two probabilities: 3 20 11 60 = 11 400 \dfrac{3}{20}\cdot\dfrac{11}{60}=\dfrac{11}{400} The answer is 411 \boxed{411} .

Nicely explained! thanks

Rahul Nahata - 7 years, 9 months ago

Case 1: The 2 π 10 \frac{2\pi}{10} -sector is totally inside the 3 π 10 \frac{3\pi}{10} -sector, the probability of that case is 3 π 10 2 π 10 2 π = 1 20 \frac{\frac{3\pi}{10}-\frac{2\pi}{10}}{2\pi}=\frac{1}{20}

Now, in order to make 3 sectors have a point in common, we only need to make the π 10 \frac{\pi}{10} -sector have a point in common with the 2 π 10 \frac{2\pi}{10} -sector, the probability is π 10 + 2 π 10 2 π = 3 20 \frac{\frac{\pi}{10}+\frac{2\pi}{10}}{2\pi}=\frac{3}{20}

The probability overall of that case is: 3 20 . 1 20 = 3 400 \frac{3}{20}.\frac{1}{20}=\frac{3}{400} .

Case 2: The 2 π 10 \frac{2\pi}{10} -sector and 3 π 10 \frac{3\pi}{10} -sector have a ϕ \phi -sector in common with 0 < ϕ < 2 π 10 0< \phi < \frac{2\pi}{10} . The probability of that case is 2. 2 π 10 2 π = 1 5 2. \frac{\frac{2\pi}{10}}{2\pi}=\frac{1}{5} .

Now, in order to make 3 sectors have a point in common, we only need to make the π 10 \frac{\pi}{10} -sector have a point in common with the ϕ \phi -sector, the probability is π 10 + ϕ 2 π \frac{\frac{\pi}{10}+\phi}{2\pi} .

Because ϕ \phi is randomly from 0 to 2 π 10 \frac{2\pi}{10} , the average number is π 10 \frac{\pi}{10} , the average probability is π 10 + π 10 2 π = 1 10 \frac{\frac{\pi}{10}+\frac{\pi}{10}}{2\pi}=\frac{1}{10} .

The probability overall of that case is: 1 5 . 1 10 = 1 50 \frac{1}{5}.\frac{1}{10}=\frac{1}{50} .

Overall, the probability that 3 sectors have a point in common is 1 50 + 3 400 = 11 400 \frac{1}{50}+\frac{3}{400}=\frac{11}{400} .

The answer is 11+400=411.

thanks this is good.

Shiraz Khan - 7 years, 9 months ago

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