Skip to content

Arrows spread evenly over three target zones

Question

A target consists of a central disc of radius 4 inches, surrounded by an annulus out to radius 8 inches, surrounded by another annulus out to radius 12 inches. Every arrow lands at a point uniformly distributed over the whole 12-inch disc, independently.

(a) Three arrows are shot. What is the probability that each of the three zones receives exactly one arrow?

(b) If 3n3n arrows are shot, give a formula for the probability that each zone receives exactly nn arrows.

Short answer

(a) 10/8110/81; (b) (3n)!(n!)3(5243)n\dfrac{(3n)!}{(n!)^3}\left(\tfrac{5}{243}\right)^{n}. Area ratios give zone probabilities 19,39,59\tfrac19,\tfrac39,\tfrac59. In (a) the 3!3! orderings each have probability 15729\tfrac{15}{729}, so 90729=1081\tfrac{90}{729}=\tfrac{10}{81}. In (b) the multinomial coefficient multiplies (19⋅39⋅59)n\left(\tfrac19\cdot\tfrac39\cdot\tfrac59\right)^n.

Adapted from OpenQuant; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

See the hint and the full worked solution in the question bank (free account).

Open the worked solution

Lessons behind this question

Start with a free lesson: Normal Distribution is part of a free topic. Create a free account, no card needed, to read it in full with worked solutions.

Read it free