Problems of ``Buffon type'' for polygonal strips (Q1404162)

The authors prove an interesting generalization of the Buffon's needle problem regarding the probability that a needle of length \(l\) intersects the lines of a given lattice \(\mathcal{R}\). Here \(\mathcal{R}\) is obtained from strips of wide \(a\) bounded by polygonal lines. These lines are formed by segments of lengths \(b\) and \(c\), making an angle \(\pi-(\beta+\gamma)=\pi-\theta\). Under a condition on \(l\) to be short enough, the probability that a segment of length \(l\) intersects one of the lines of \(\mathcal{R}\) is \[ p=\frac{1}{2\pi ad}\left[4(b+c)-\left(1-\frac{\theta}{\tan\theta}\right)l\right], \] \noindent where \(d=b\cos\beta+c\cos\gamma\). If \(b=c\), then \(\beta=\gamma\), and, letting \(\beta\to 0\) the result reduces to the classical formula.