Title
A π-less Buffon's Needle Problem
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2006
Department
Mathematics
Language
English
Publication Title
Mathematics Magazine
Abstract
In 1733 the French naturalist Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, posed and solved the following problem in geometric probability: when a needle of length L is dropped onto a wooden floor constructed from boards of width D (where D ≥ L), what is the probability that it will lie across a seam between two boards? Buffon determined that the probability is 2L/Dπ. His proof of the now-famous Buffon’s needle problem appeared in print 44 years later.
DOI
10.1080/0025570X.2006.11953438
Recommended Citation
Richeson, David. "A π-less Buffon's Needle Problem." Mathematics Magazine 79, no. 5 (2006): 385-389. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0025570X.2006.11953438
Comments
For more information on the published version, visit Taylor and Francis's Website.