Question

Real numbers $x$ and $y$ are chosen independently and uniformly at random from the interval $(0, 1).$ What is the probability that $\lfloor \log_2 x \rfloor = \lfloor \log_2 y \rfloor,$ where $\lfloor r \rfloor$ denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to the real number $r?$

$\dfrac{1}{8}$

$\dfrac{1}{6}$

$\dfrac{1}{4}$

$\dfrac{1}{3}$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

Solution:

For each positive integer $n,$ $\lfloor \log_2 x \rfloor = -n$ exactly when $\dfrac{1}{2^n} \le x \lt \dfrac{1}{2^{n-1}},$ an interval of length $\dfrac{1}{2^n}.$ The event that both floors equal $-n$ is a square of area $\dfrac{1}{4^n}.$ Summing over all $n,$ the probability is $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{4^n} = \frac{1/4}{1 - 1/4} = \frac{1}{3}.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2017 AMC 12B Problem 20

Solution:

Problem 20 in Other Years