1976 AHSME Problems/Problem 8

Problem 8

A point in the plane, both of whose rectangular coordinates are integers with absolute values less than or equal to four, is chosen at random, with all such points having an equal probability of being chosen. What is the probability that the distance from the point to the origin is at most two units?

$\textbf{(A) }\frac{13}{81}\qquad \textbf{(B) }\frac{15}{81}\qquad \textbf{(C) }\frac{13}{64}\qquad \textbf{(D) }\frac{\pi}{16}\qquad \textbf{(E) }\text{the square of a rational number}$

Solution

In order for the coordinates to have absolute values less than $4$ , the points must lie in or on the $8$ by $8$ square passing through the points $(-4,-4), (-4, 4), (4,4)$ and $(4, -4)$ . There are $(8+1)(8+1) = 81$ points in or on this region. Since the point must have integer coordinates, we have to count the number of points within or on $x^2 + y^2 = 2^2$ . By graphing and counting, there are 13 options. $\boxed{(A) \frac{13}{81}}$

~thshea

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1976 AHSME Problems/Problem 8

Problem 8

Solution