Probability Distributions

Question

Make a table showing the probability distribution for the possible number of heads when tossing 5 coins.

(Give the probabilities as decimals rounded to five decimal places.)

# of heads        Probability
0                         ____
1                        _____
2                        ____
3                         ____
4                      ______
5                        _____

Answer 1

No. of different ways five coins toss is A = 2^5 = 32 ways [2 because of head vs tail]

This is a combination probability, we will use combination formula for successful events

nCr = n! / [(n - r)! x r!], r - no. of heads and Probability = nCr / A Let us make the table.

No. of Heads Success Probability Fraction Decimal value

0 5! / [(5 - 0)! x 0!] = 1 1/32 0.03125

1 5! / [(5 - 1)! x 1!] = 5 5/32 0.15625

2 5! / [(5 - 2)! x 2!] = 10 5/16 0.31250

3 5! / [(5 - 3)! x 3!] = 10 5/16 0.31250

4 5! / [(5 - 4)! x 4!] = 5 5/32 0.15625

5 5! / [(5 - 5)! x 5!] = 1 1/32 0.03125

I hope this helps. If you have question please email me.

Sincerely,

Shailesh (Sky) Kadakia, Expert Tutor WYZANT, Inc.