A probability problem posed by Buffon in 1777. A needle of length l is to be randomly thrown on to a piece of paper that is covered by parallel lines that are a distance d apart; the problem is ‘What is the probability that the needle crosses a line?’ The answer isThis provides an empirical method for the estimation of π (though many throws are needed if an accurate answer is required).
http://vis.supstat.com/2013/04/buffons-needle/ Animation.