I was asked this question in an interview, so I am not sure what the optimal answer is. But here it goes:
Given a rectangle with length l and breadth b, I pick 4 random points inside it. What is the probability that the 4 points lie in the same half of the rectangle?
Notes:
- Two halves of the rectangle are defined by a single line passing through the intersection of its diagonals. So the rectangle cannot be divided into two halves of any arbitrary shapes of equal length.
- A line passing through a picked point and the center does not contain another picked point. That is, A line passing through any two picked points does not pass through the center of the rectangle (= intersection of the diagonals).
Addition: (Maybe a Hint)
I was asked about 3 points first. They saw my approach and were satisfied and then asked me what if there were 4 points.
Answer
9/16
The one to prove it gets the check mark.