Random Points in a Circle and Pi | Dataford Interview Questions

How would you generate random points in a circle and use them to estimate pi, given a center and radius?

Implement estimate_pi(center_x, center_y, radius, samples, seed). Generate points uniformly in the circle's bounding square, count points inside the circle, and return 4 * inside / samples. Use seed for deterministic results and include boundary points as inside.

Inputs are numeric center coordinates and radius, a positive sample count, and an integer seed. Return a floating-point estimate.

Constraints

-10^9 <= center_x, center_y <= 10^9
0 <= radius <= 10^9
1 <= samples <= 1000
seed is an integer
Return a floating-point value
Points on the boundary count as inside

Function Signature

def estimate_pi(center_x, center_y, radius, samples, seed):

Your question is Random Points in a Circle and Pi. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.

Problem

How would you generate random points in a circle and use them to estimate pi, given a center and radius?

Inputs are numeric center coordinates and radius, a positive sample count, and an integer seed. Return a floating-point estimate.

Constraints

-10^9 <= center_x, center_y <= 10^9
0 <= radius <= 10^9
1 <= samples <= 1000
seed is an integer
Return a floating-point value
Points on the boundary count as inside

Function Signature

def estimate_pi(center_x, center_y, radius, samples, seed):

Your question is Random Points in a Circle and Pi. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.