2023 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 20

Problem

Cyrus the frog jumps 2 units in a direction, then 2 more in another direction. What is the probability that he lands less than 1 unit away from his starting position?

$\textbf{(A)}~\frac{1}{6}\qquad\textbf{(B)}~\frac{1}{5}\qquad\textbf{(C)}~\frac{\sqrt{3}}{8}\qquad\textbf{(D)}~\frac{\arctan \frac{1}{2}}{\pi}\qquad\textbf{(E)}~\frac{2\arcsin \frac{1}{4}}{\pi}$

Solution

Denote by $A_i$ the position after the $i$ th jump. Thus, to fall into the region centered at $A_0$ and with radius 1, $\angle A_2 A_1 A_0 < 2 \arcsin \frac{1/2}{2} = 2 \arcsin \frac{1}{4}$ .

Therefore, the probability is $\frac{2 \cdot 2 \arcsin \frac{1}{4}}{2 \pi} = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } \frac{2 \arcsin \frac{1}{4}}{\pi}}.$

~Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com)

2023 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 19	Followed by Problem 21
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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2023 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 20

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