What Is the Probability of Seeing a Point on an Infinite Grid?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter h6ss
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Grid Points
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The probability of seeing a point on an infinite square grid from the origin (0,0) is determined by whether the line connecting the origin to a random grid point z = (x, y) intersects any grid points. The discussion highlights that the answer is not significantly affected by the definition of "random integer," but variations in interpretation can yield different results. The problem simplifies to understanding the conditions under which the line does not cross other grid points, which is a well-known concept in probability theory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic probability theory
  • Familiarity with coordinate geometry
  • Knowledge of integer properties and distributions
  • Concept of line intersection in a grid system
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of "line intersection" in coordinate geometry
  • Explore the implications of "random integer" distributions
  • Study the probability theory related to infinite sets
  • Learn about the applications of probability in grid-based problems
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, statisticians, educators, and students interested in probability theory and geometric interpretations of mathematical problems.

h6ss
Messages
77
Reaction score
9
Here is a difficult probability question I found interesting and thought I'd share:

Suppose you are standing on an infinitely large square grid at the point (0,0), and suppose that you can see infinitely far but cannot see through grid points. Given a random grid point z = (x, y), where x and y are integers, what is the chance you can see z?

The rather elegant answer is:
[itex]Prob = \frac{6}{\pi^2}[/itex]

More information:
 

Attachments

Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: FactChecker
Physics news on Phys.org
There is no uniform distribution over all integers. What does "random integer" mean?
The answer does not depend much on it, but there are choices that do give a different answer.

I think the problem is not as hard as the pdf describes it, as the steps taken in the first solution are not hard to find and the value of the product is well-known.
 
What is the question actually asking? "What is the probability that the line connecting a randomly assigned point z (x,y) with the origin does not intersect any grid points"?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K