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jmc

counting and probability senior

Problem

Select numbers and between 0 and 1 independently and at random, and let be their sum. Let , , and be the results when , , and , respectively, are rounded to the nearest integer. What is the probability that ?
Solution
The conditions under which are as follows.

(i) If , then .

(ii) If and , then and .

(iii) If and , then and .

(iv) If , then and .

These conditions correspond to the shaded regions of the graph shown. The combined area of those regions is 3/4, and the area of the entire square is 1, so the requested probability is .

Final answer
\frac{3}{4}