My Math Forum probability for stick

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 June 9th, 2013, 07:24 AM #1 Newbie   Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 probability for stick A stick (let’s say a safely match) is broken in four points so five segments are generated, the question is what is the probability that with these segments to be able to construct a pentagon. I solved the problem for two points (triangle) and for three point (quadrilateral) using 2D and 3D representation but I think that for more dimensions it isn’t a good approaching for this problem.
 June 9th, 2013, 08:33 PM #2 Math Team   Joined: Oct 2011 From: Ottawa Ontario, Canada Posts: 14,597 Thanks: 1038 Re: probability for stick Too headachy for me! But for something that would be reasonably close: _._._._._._._._._._ 10 unit stick, with 9 spots (the dots) from which to pick 4 at random. Resulting lengths of the 5 pieces: 1 1 1 1 6 : no 1 1 1 2 5 : no 1 1 1 3 4 : yes 1 1 2 2 4 : yes 1 1 2 3 3 : yes 1 2 2 2 3 : yes 2 2 2 2 2 : yes Probability = 5/7
 June 10th, 2013, 01:32 AM #3 Math Team   Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,780 Thanks: 361 Re: probability for stick Isn't this equivalent to asking "what is the probability that the longest segment is larger than half of the length of the stick?"?
June 10th, 2013, 12:17 PM   #4
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Re: probability for stick

Quote:
 Originally Posted by Hoempa Isn't this equivalent to asking "what is the probability that the longest segment is larger than half of the length of the stick?"?
Agree, but larger or equal

 June 11th, 2013, 12:08 AM #5 Math Team   Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,780 Thanks: 361 Re: probability for stick Hm yes but it wouldn't matter for the outcome I believe. Maybe that's too much of a side question.
June 15th, 2013, 03:53 AM   #6
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Re: probability for stick

Quote:
 Originally Posted by Hoempa Isn't this equivalent to asking "what is the probability that the longest segment is larger than half of the length of the stick?"?
Something like this but "less than half of the stick"

 June 15th, 2013, 04:25 AM #7 Math Team   Joined: Oct 2011 From: Ottawa Ontario, Canada Posts: 14,597 Thanks: 1038 Re: probability for stick Agree; that's what I sais in my last reply: "Agree, but larger or equal".

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