jmc

If a triangle with sides of length 1, $x$, and $y$ exists, the triangle inequality must be satisfied, which states that $x+y>1$, $1+x>y$, and $1+y>x$. We can draw a plane with $x$ and $y$ axes and shade in the area where all of these inequalities are satisfied.



The total area of the square is $3^2=9$. The area of the unshaded region is $2^2+1/2=9/2$. Thus, the shaded area is $9/2$ and the probability that such a triangle exists is $(9/2)/9=\boxed{\frac{1}{2}}$.