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A stick is broken at two points, chosen at random. If the length of the stick is 6 then what is the probability that all three resulting pieces are shorter than 2 units?

 Mar 13, 2023
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To solve the problem, we can use the following steps:

1. Let x be the length of the shortest piece, y be the length of the middle piece, and z be the length of the longest piece.

 

2. Since the stick has length 6, we have x + y + z = 6.

 

3. We want to find the probability that all three resulting pieces are shorter than 2 units, which means x < 2, y < 2, and z < 2.

 

4. Substituting z = 6 - x - y and rearranging, we get x + y < 4.

 

5. This inequality defines a triangular region in the plane, where x and y are the coordinates. The vertices of the triangle are (0,0), (0,4), and (4,0).

 

6. The total area of the rectangle that contains the triangle is 6 x 6 = 36. Therefore, the probability that the stick is broken in a way that all three resulting pieces are shorter than 2 units is equal to the area of the triangle divided by the area of the rectangle.

 

7. The area of the triangle is (1/2) x 4 x 4 = 8, so the probability is 8/36 = 2/9.

 

Therefore, the probability that all three resulting pieces are shorter than 2 units is 2/9.

 Mar 13, 2023

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