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Larry chooses a unit square at random inside a 4x4 square, whose sides are parallel to the 4x4 square. Laura also chooses a unit square at random, whose sides parallel to the 4x4 square. Find the probability that Larry's and Laura's square intersect.

 Mar 21, 2020
 #1
avatar+499 
+2

In the question, does it mention whether or not Larry and Laura's squares must be different? What if they choose the same unit square? I think that part of the question is very unclear.

 Mar 21, 2020
 #2
avatar+2095 
0

Yeah. I agree. I don't get the part where is says, "parallel". In a 4*4, how is that even possible?

 Mar 21, 2020
 #3
avatar+499 
+2

I think it means the unit square can't be shaped like a "diamond"; in otherwords, diagonally oriented

jfan17  Mar 21, 2020
 #4
avatar+129849 
+1

I am interpreting "intersect" to mean that they  choose the same unit square......if so....let Larry choose any unit square

 

Since there will 16 of these inside a 4 x 4 square,  the chance that Laura chooses the same square is  just  1/16

 

 

cool cool cool

 Mar 21, 2020
 #5
avatar+537 
+1

There are an infinite number of unit squares possible in a 4x4 square though, the squares do not have to be on lattice points.

MathCuber  Mar 21, 2020

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