Question

A point is randomly chosen on a map of North America. Describe the probability of the point being in each location: North America: New York City: Europe:

Answer 1

Answer:

We know that the map is of North America:

The probabilities are:

1) North America:

As the map is a map of North America, you can point at any part of the map and you will be pointing at North America, so the probability is p = 1

or 100% in percentage form.

2) New York City.

Here we can think this as:

The map of North America is an extension of area, and New Yorck City has a given area.

As larger is the area of the city, more probable to being randomly choosen, so to find the exact probability we need to find the quotient between the area of New York City and the total area of North America:

New York City = 730km^2

North America = 24,709,000 km^2

So the probability of randomly pointing at New York City is:

P = ( 730km^2)/(24,709,000 km^2) = 3x10^-5 or 0.003%

3) Europe:

As this is a map of Noth America, you can not randomly point at Europe in it (Europe is other continent).

So the probaility is 0 or 0%.