Problem 195
easy
Where the smallest falls
Three numbers are drawn independently and uniformly from . Find the probability that the smallest of them lies between and .
Answer
Fractions, decimals with at least 3 significant digits, and expressions such as sqrt(2)/2, e^-1 or pi/4.
Hints 0/2
The smallest is above exactly when all three are above .
.
h
Solution
s Shown after a correct answer. Revealing it first marks the problem as seen, not solved.
Idea. The survival function of the minimum is easy: all three numbers must be above the level. The probability of an interval is the difference of two survival values.
Step 1. One draw is above with probability , so
Step 2.
Step 3.