cylindrical tank

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 313
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:01 am
Thanked: 2 times

cylindrical tank

by jain2016 » Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:06 pm
A cylindrical tank has a base with a circumference of 4 under root3 pie meters and an isosceles right triangle painted on the interior side of the base. A grain of sand is dropped into the tank, and has an equal probability of landing on any particular point on the base. If the probability of the grain of sand landing on the portion of the base outside the triangle is 3/4, which of the following is the length of at least one side of the triangle?

A) 3

B) 12

C) under root 2

D) under root 3

E) under root 6

OAE

Hi Experts,

Please explain.

Thanks,

SJ
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Mar 27, 2016 3:14 am
A cylindrical tank has a base with a circumference of 4(√(�√3)) meters and an equilateral triangle painted on the interior side of the base. A grain of sand is dropped into the tank, and has an equal probability of landing on any particular point on the base. If the probability of the grain of sand landing on the portion of the base outside the triangle is 3/4, what is the length of a side of the triangle?

a. root (2 (root 6))
b. (root 6 (root 6))/2
c. root (2 root 3)
d. root 3
e. 2
Circumference of the base:
2�r = 4√(�√3)
r = 4√(�√3) / 2�
= 2√(�√3) / �.

Area of the base:
�r² = �* [2√(�√3) / �]²
= � * 4�√3 / �²
= 4√3.

Area of the triangle:
Since P(outside triangle) = 3/4, P(triangle) = 1/4.
Thus, the area of the triangle = 1/4(circle area) = (1/4) * 4√3 = √3.
The formula for the area of an equilateral triangle = (s²√3)/4.
Thus:
(s²√3)/4 = √3
s² = 4
s=2.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3