2010/08/11 by P. Di Porto, Paolo Di Porto, B. Crosignani +7
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Data Analysis #FOS: Mathematics #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Overview (math.HO) #Probability and Statistical Research #Statistics and Probability (physics.data-an) #math.HO #physics.data-an
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1008.1878
3 pages, 3 figures
arxiv created 2010/08/11 · openalex publication_date 2010/08/11 · arxiv updated 2010/08/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present a conclusive answer to Bertrand's paradox, a long standing open issue in the basic physical interpretation of probability. The paradox deals with the existence of mutually inconsistent results when looking for the probability that a chord, drawn at random in a circle, is longer than the side of an inscribed equilateral triangle. We obtain a unique solution by substituting chord drawing with the throwing of a straw of finite length L on a circle of radius R, thus providing a satisfactory operative definition of the associated experiment. The obtained probability turns out to be a function of the ratio L/R, as intuitively expected.