NVAMediumJEE 2023Probability Basics

JEE Mathematics 2023 Question with Solution

Let AA be the event that the absolute difference between two randomly chosen real numbers in the sample space [0,60][0, 60] is less than or equal to aa. If P(A)=1136P(A) = \frac{11}{36}, then aa is equal to:

Answer

Correct answer:10

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two real numbers xx and yy are chosen from the sample space [0,60][0,60], and the event is xya|x-y|\le a.

Find: The value of aa given that P(A)=1136P(A)=\frac{11}{36}.

From the condition,

xy|x-y|
Coordinate square from 0 to 60 on both axes, with two diagonal boundary lines and a shaded central strip labeled by points O, A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

Using areas,

P(A)=area of favourable regionarea of total square=1136P(A)=\frac{\text{area of favourable region}}{\text{area of total square}}=\frac{11}{36}

The total area is

60×60=360060\times 60=3600

The favourable shaded region equals the area of the square minus the two corner triangles, which gives

P(A)=(60)2(60a)23600P(A)=\frac{(60)^2-(60-a)^2}{3600}

Now substitute the given probability:

3600(60a)23600=1136\frac{3600-(60-a)^2}{3600}=\frac{11}{36}

So,

3600(60a)2=11003600-(60-a)^2=1100

Hence,

(60a)2=2500(60-a)^2=2500

Therefore,

60a=5060-a=50

which gives

a=10a=10

Therefore, the value of aa is 1010.

Area Interpretation

Given: xya|x-y|\le a for two numbers chosen from [0,60][0,60].

Find: aa when P(A)=1136P(A)=\frac{11}{36}.

Interpret the random choice geometrically as a point (x,y)(x,y) in the square of side 6060. The condition xya|x-y|\le a means the point lies within distance aa from the line x=yx=y, measured parallel to the axes through the lines xy=±ax-y=\pm a.

Thus the excluded part consists of two congruent right triangles, each with leg length 60a60-a. Their total area is

2×12(60a)2=(60a)22\times \frac{1}{2}(60-a)^2=(60-a)^2

So the favourable area is

3600(60a)23600-(60-a)^2

Now,

3600(60a)23600=1136\frac{3600-(60-a)^2}{3600}=\frac{11}{36}

Multiplying through by 36003600,

3600(60a)2=11003600-(60-a)^2=1100

Therefore,

(60a)2=2500(60-a)^2=2500

Taking the positive root relevant to geometry,

60a=5060-a=50

Hence,

a=10a=10

So the final answer is 1010.

Common mistakes

  • Using the total sample space length 6060 instead of the total area 60×60=360060\times 60=3600. This is wrong because two numbers are chosen, so outcomes are represented by points in a square. Use area ratio, not length ratio.

  • Treating xya|x-y|\le a as only one inequality such as xyax-y\le a. This misses half the region. Rewrite it as axya-a\le x-y\le a so both boundary lines are included.

  • Subtracting only one corner triangle from the square. The strip around x=yx=y excludes two congruent triangular regions, so both must be removed to get the favourable area.

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