Shortest of three pieces

A 11-metre stick is cut at two points chosen independently and uniformly along its length, giving three pieces. What is the probability that the shortest piece is at most 55 centimetres (i.e. 0.05\le 0.05 m)?

Show hints (2)+
  1. Use the complement: probability that all three pieces exceed a=0.05a=0.05.
  2. For a stick cut at two uniform points, P(all pieces>a)=(13a)2\mathbb{P}(\text{all pieces}>a)=(1-3a)^2. Then subtract from 11.

Answer

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0.2775

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Asked at: Jane Street, Optiver

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