1987 AHSME Problems/Problem 26
Problem
The amount is split into two nonnegative real numbers uniformly at random, for instance, into and , or into and . Then each number is rounded to its nearest integer, for instance, and in the first case above, and in the second. What is the probability that the two integers sum to ?
Solution
The two parts may round to and ; and ; and ; and ; or and . By considering the possible ranges for each case, it is easy to see that each case is equally likely (they divide the interval from to , in which one of the parts is found, into five equal ranges of to , to , to , to , and to ). As exactly two of the five cases give a sum of , the answer is , which is answer .
See also
1987 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 25 |
Followed by Problem 27 | |
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