Question

Let $\mathcal{S}$ be the set of points whose coordinates $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ are integers that satisfy $0 \le x \le 2,$ $0 \le y \le 3,$ and $0 \le z \le 4.$ Two distinct points are randomly chosen from $\mathcal{S}.$ The probability that the midpoint of the segment they determine also belongs to $\mathcal{S}$ is $\frac{m}{n},$ where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m + n.$

Answer

Solution:

The midpoint is a lattice point exactly when the two chosen points agree in parity in each coordinate. Count ordered pairs (allowing equality) coordinate by coordinate. For $x \in \{0, 1, 2\}$ there are $2$ even and $1$ odd values, giving $2^2 + 1^2 = 5$ same-parity ordered pairs. For $y \in \{0, \ldots, 3\}:$ $2^2 + 2^2 = 8.$ For $z \in \{0, \ldots, 4\}:$ $3^2 + 2^2 = 13.$

That gives $5 \cdot 8 \cdot 13 = 520$ ordered pairs, including the $60$ pairs where the two points are equal, so $520 - 60 = 460$ ordered pairs of distinct points, or $230$ unordered pairs. The total number of unordered pairs is $\binom{60}{2} = 1770.$

The probability is $\frac{230}{1770} = \frac{23}{177},$ and since $177 = 3 \cdot 59,$ this is in lowest terms. Thus $m + n = 23 + 177 = 200.$

2001 AIME I Problem 10

Solution:

Problem 10 in Other Years