Probability of Winning the Carnival Game of Tossing a Coin Into a Table

Date of Exam

Problem
In a common carnival game, a player tosses a penny from a distance of about 5 feet onto the surface of a table ruled in 1-inch squares. If the penny (3/4 inch in diameter) falls entirely inside a square, the player receives 5 cents but does not get his penny back; otherwise he loses his penny. If the penny lands on the table, what is his chance to win?

A.   5/16 C.   9/256
B.   1/16 D.   3/128

 

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Solution