Discrete Mathematics Warmups
Three points are chosen randomly from the circumference of a circle. What is the probability that they lie on a common semicircle?
Bonus: Generalize this to \(n\) points.
by
Prakash Chandra Rai
\(20\) men are held captive by a pirate lord, including two friends Jack and Tony.
The pirate decides to set \(10\) of them free. The \(20\) men are randomly divided into \(10\) pairs. Each pair of men then flip a fair coin to decide who goes free.
The probability that both Jack and Tony are set free is \(\frac{A}{B}\) where \(A\) and \(B\) are co-prime positive integers. Find the value of \(A+B.\)
by
Pratik Shastri
Consider a \(100\)-sided polygon. If you join any \(4\) of the \(100\) vertices of the polygon, you get a quadrilateral.
How many quadrilaterals can be formed without including the sides of the \(100\)-sided polygon?
by
Satyen Nabar
There is a combination safe with four switches on the front, each with three positions – low, medium, and high. There are \(3^{4} = 81\) possible combinations.
However, this is a cheap safe and only two of the switches actually matter. If you set those two switches right, the safe will open. You do not know which are the important switches or which positions work. What is the minimum number of combinations you must try to guarantee that you will open the safe?
by
christian nader
There are 10 stations on a circular path. A train has to stop at 3 stations such that no two stations are adjacent. How many such selections are possible?
by
Sandeep Bhardwaj