this is an empirical investigation of the problem: "given a stick. you cut the stick at some random point. you then 'keep' the left-hand part, and cut the right-hand part at some random point. what is the probability that the resulting three pieces can forma triangle?".

this arose as part of the discussion "probability of a triangle" on the geometry.puzzles mailinglist/newsgroup.
See also cut the knot.

reps:

- sequential cuts, 'keeping' a random first side
- sequential cuts, 'keeping' the left-hand first side
- simultaneous cuts

in sequential cuts A, a cut is made, and then the next cut is made in either the right- or left- hand remainder, chosen randomly.
in sequential cuts B, a cut is made, and then the next cut is made in the right-hand remainder.
in simultaneous cuts C, both cuts are made randomly over the entire original stick.

in a million trails, i got:
A) 19.3265 %
B) 19.3258 %
C) 24.9742 %