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Printjmc
counting and probability senior
Problem
Randy presses RAND on his calculator twice to obtain two random numbers between 0 and 1. Let be the probability that these two numbers and 1 form the sides of an obtuse triangle. Find .
Solution
Let the two random numbers be and . In order to form an obtuse triangle, since 1 will be the longest side, we must simultaneously satisfy the following inequalities: The first is the triangle inequality and the second guarantees that the triangle is obtuse. Graphing these in the -plane, we get the following shaded region. The curve is an arc of the unit circle centered at the origin. This area is then equal to that sector minus the right isosceles triangle within it, or And since the area of the square is
Four times is .
Four times is .
Final answer
\pi-2