Given a circle and an integer , we perform the following operations.
In step , we choose two uniformly random points and on .In step (), we first choose a uniformly random point on and connect the points and with a red rope; then choose a uniformly random point on and connect the points and with a blue rope.In step , we first connect the points and with a red rope; then connect the points and with a blue rope.Each rope is straight between its two end points, and lies above all previous ropes.
After step , we get a loop of red ropes, and a loop of blue ropes.Sometimes the two loops can be separated, as in the left figure below; sometimes they are "linked", hence cannot be separated, as in the middle and right figures below.
Let be the probability that the two loops can be separated.For example, and .