A coin is tossed 4 times. What is the probability of heads on the first toss, tails onn the second toss, and heads on the third and fourth tosses?

Question

Please help me.

Answer 1

Amelia,

Each toss is independent of each previous toss, so the probability of each toss being the desired outcome is :

 

1/2 * 1/2 * 1/2 * 1/2 = 1/16 total probability of the desired outcome.

 

1/2 is the probability of heads on the first toss.

 

1/2 * 1/2 = 1/4

 

1/4 is the probability of the 2nd outcome being tails.

 

1/4 * 1/4 = 1/16

 

1/16 is the total probability that the desired outcome will happen. 

 

Answer 2

Amelia,

 

When a coin is tossed you have 2 outcomes ; Heads or Tails

 

When it is tossed 4 times the number of outcomes = (1/2)^4 = 16

 

You are seeking probability of 1 of the 16 outcomes (H,T,H,H)

 

Probability of (H,T,H,H) = 1/16