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avatar+1836 

A point $(x,y)$ is randomly picked from inside the rectangle with vertices $(0,0)$, $(4,0)$, $(4,1)$, and $(0,1)$. What is the probability that $x < y$?

 Apr 27, 2015

Best Answer 

 #3
avatar+23254 
+7

You're right -- I considered only the endpoints ... (I'm going to have to learn to read .... )

If you draw a diagonal line through the point (0,0) at a 45° angle, it will go through the point (4,4) and divide the square into two congruent parts:  the points above the line will have x-values less than their y-values; the points below the line will have x-values greater than their y-values.

Since the area above the diagonal line equals the area below the diagonal line, the probability will be 1/2.

 Apr 27, 2015
 #1
avatar+23254 
+3

Of the four points:  (0,0), (4,0), (4,1), and (0,1) only the point (0,1) has an x-value smaller than the y-value.

The probability that the x-value is less than the y-value is 1/4.

 Apr 27, 2015
 #2
avatar+1836 
+5

Thank you geno, but this was incorrect. Sorry!!!!!!

Thepoint$(x,y)$satisfies$x<y$ifandonlyifitbelongstotheshadedtriangleboundedbythelines$x=y$,$y=1$,and$x=0$,theareaofwhichis1/2.Theratiooftheareaofthetriangletotheareaoftherectangleis$1/24=18$.[asy]draw((1,0)(5,0),Arrow);draw((0,1)(0,2),Arrow);for(inti=1;i<5;++i)draw((i,0.3)(i,0.3));fill((0,0)(0,1)(1,1)cycle,gray(0.7));draw((0.3,1)(0.3,1));draw((4,0)(4,1)(0,1),linewidth(0.7));draw((0.5,0.5)(1.8,1.8),dashed);[/asy]

 Apr 27, 2015
 #3
avatar+23254 
+7
Best Answer

You're right -- I considered only the endpoints ... (I'm going to have to learn to read .... )

If you draw a diagonal line through the point (0,0) at a 45° angle, it will go through the point (4,4) and divide the square into two congruent parts:  the points above the line will have x-values less than their y-values; the points below the line will have x-values greater than their y-values.

Since the area above the diagonal line equals the area below the diagonal line, the probability will be 1/2.

geno3141 Apr 27, 2015
 #4
avatar+130458 
+8

I get something a little different here than geno.....see the following pic........

 

 

All  points inside triangle ADF will have x values less than their associated y values. And the area of this triangle = 1/2 sq units

And the area of the whole rectangle = (4)(1)  = 4 sq units

So....the probability that a random point has an x value less than its y value = (1/2) / 4   = 1/8

 

  

 Apr 28, 2015

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