BTGmoderatorLU wrote:Source: Economist GMAT
A game at the state fair has a circular target with a radius of 10 cm on a square board measuring 30 cm on a side. Players win prizes if they throw two darts and hit only the circular area on both throws. If Jim hit the board in random points on both throws, what is the probability that Jim won the game?
A. 1/3
B. 1/9
C. π/9
D. π^2/81
E. π^2/9
$$? = P\left( {2\,\,{\rm{hits}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,\,{\rm{circular}}\,\,{\rm{region}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,\,{\rm{two}}\,\,{\rm{throws}}} \right)$$
We may consider the similar figure(!) in which the radius of the circular target is 1cm and the square board has 3cm on a side.
$$P\left( {1\,\,{\rm{hit}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,\,{\rm{circular}}\,\,{\rm{region}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,\,{\rm{one}}\,\,{\rm{throw}}} \right) = {{{S_{{\rm{circle}}}}} \over {{S_{{\rm{square}}}}}} = {{\pi \cdot {1^2}} \over {{3^2}}} = {\pi \over 9}$$
$$? = {\left( {{\pi \over 9}} \right)^2}\,\,\,{\rm{by}}\,\,{\rm{independency}}\,\,{\rm{on}}\,\,{\rm{throws}}$$
The correct answer is therefore (D).
This solution follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.
Regards,
Fabio.