A ratio between one and two
and are independent and uniform on . Find the probability that lies strictly between 1 and 2.
Fractions, decimals with at least 3 significant digits, and expressions such as sqrt(2)/2, e^-1 or pi/4.
Draw the unit square with on the horizontal axis and on the vertical axis.
The condition is : the region between two lines through the origin.
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s Shown after a correct answer. Revealing it first marks the problem as seen, not solved.
Idea. The pair is a uniform point in the unit square, so the probability is the area of the region .
Step 1: the region. It lies between the lines and inside the square. The line leaves the square at , so the region is the triangle with corners , and .
Step 2: its area. The triangle has a horizontal side from to of length , and height 1 from that side down to the origin:
So the probability is .
By symmetry. The ratio is below 1 with probability , and above 2 when , a triangle of area . What remains for the ratio between 1 and 2 is .