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Scaled chance three uniform integers sum to N

Question

For a positive integer NN, choose X1,X2,X3X_1,X_2,X_3 independently and uniformly from {0,1,…,N}\{0,1,\dots,N\}, and let pNp_N be the probability that X1+X2+X3=NX_1+X_2+X_3=N. Determine lim⁡N→∞N pN\lim_{N\to\infty}N\,p_N (enter −1-1 if the limit does not exist).

Short answer

1/21/2. Solutions of x1+x2+x3=Nx_1+x_2+x_3=N in non-negative integers number (N+22)\binom{N+2}{2}, and all lie in range, so pN=(N+2)(N+1)2(N+1)3p_N=\tfrac{(N+2)(N+1)}{2(N+1)^3}. Multiplying by NN and letting N→∞N\to\infty gives 12\tfrac12.

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