Where will the coin drop?

There are 2 circles. Once circle has a radius of 40 centimeters and the other circle is inside the first circle with a radius of 20 centimeters. If I randomly drop a coin with a radius of one centimeter inside the larger circle, what is the probability that the coin will land in the smaller circle without any part of the coin touching outside the circle.

NOTE: this question is flawed as Brian in the solution discussion pointed out.

50% 25% 22.56% 47.5%

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3 solutions

Discussions for this problem are now closed

If the radius 1 1 cm coin, once dropped randomly, must lie entirely within the larger circle, then its center must lie within a circle of radius 40 1 = 39 40 - 1 = 39 cm.

For the radius 1 1 cm coin to also lie entirely within the smaller circle, which itself lies entirely within the larger circle, its center must lie within a circle of radius 20 1 = 19 20 - 1 = 19 cm.

Thus the probability that the radius 1 1 cm coin lies entirely within the smaller circle, given that it lies entirely within the larger circle, is

π 1 9 2 π 3 9 2 = 0.2373 \dfrac{\pi*19^{2}}{\pi*39^{2}} = 0.2373

to 4 decimal places. This does not match any of the options, but is closest to 22.56 22.56 %.

@Nik Olson It's a bit unclear when you say that the coin is dropped randomly "inside the larger circle". If it must lie entirely within the larger circle then you get my answer, but if only the coin's center must lie within the larger circle then you get your's and Baby Googa's answer. I believe that my interpretation of "inside the larger circle" is more intuitive, so since we are essentially looking at where the center can lie I think the option of 23.73 23.73 % should be added and considered as the correct option. As mentioned above, I chose the 22.56 22.56 % option because it was the closest value to my calculation.

I did exactly the same way. I chose 22.56% because it's closest to 23.73%.

Bhaskar Sukulbrahman - 6 years, 3 months ago

Yes, you're right. I think the better way to have framed the question is what is the probability that the whole coin lands within the smaller circle and at least half of the coin lands within the bigger circle

Olawale Olayemi - 6 years, 3 months ago
Kirsty Charie
Feb 15, 2015

Area of smaller circle is 1/4 of larger, so probability of landing in smaller is 1/4. But the coin must be entirely in the smaller circle (not just its centre) so it's 'a bit less than 1/4, ie a bit less than 25%.

Moderator note:

Even though you're right about it being less than 25%, you didn't specify why it must be 22.56% or it is a bit less than 25%.

Baby Googa
Feb 15, 2015

The area of the possible outcomes is 1600\pi.

The area of the successful outcomes is 361\pi.

361\pi/1600\pi = 361/1600 = 22.56

Moderator note:

You need explain where the numbers 1600 1600 and 361 361 come from.

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