# Yellow Needle Problem [closed]

Suppose there exists an infinite number of equally spaced parallel green, yellow, red and blue lines, and we were to randomly toss a yellow colored needle whose length is less than or equal to the distance between adjacent lines. What is the probability that the needle will cross a yellow line?

## closed as off-topic by Engineer Toast, Gamow, Beastly Gerbil, f'', AlexisAug 12 '16 at 10:45

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "This question is off-topic as it appears to be a mathematics problem, as opposed to a mathematical puzzle. For more info, see "Are math-textbook-style problems on topic?" on meta." – Engineer Toast, Gamow, Beastly Gerbil, f'', Alexis
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• sounds like a math problem (Buffon's needle problem) for me. maybe even homework? – elias Aug 11 '16 at 14:55
• Yes, elias, it's a variation of the Buffon's Needle Problem. It's not homework. – Ruben Gil Aug 11 '16 at 14:58

This is Buffon's Needle problem with $d=4l$ (from Mathworld).
so the probability is $\dfrac{1}{2\pi}$.