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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
I'm getting. Someone correct me if i'm wrong

First time:
probability of getting tails is .6 = .6

2nd time:
probability of getting heads is (.4)(.6) = .24

3rd time:
probability of getting tails is (.4)(.4)(.6) = .144

Probability of flipping unfair coin and getting tails is .984

Originally posted by lagomez on 02 Nov 2009, 06:05.
Last edited by lagomez on 02 Nov 2009, 06:17, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
required probability = 1 - p(3 heads)

\(= 1 - (\frac{2}{5})^3 = \frac{117}{125}\)
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
Wy we do not multiply 0.4^3by 3!/2! ?
So as a result we will have = 1- 0.4^3*3!/2!=0.808
I do understand that this is incorrect answer, but could not explain to myself what is wrong with it.
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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Van4ez wrote:
Wy we do not multiply 0.4^3by 3!/2! ?
So as a result we will have = 1- 0.4^3*3!/2!=0.808
I do understand that this is incorrect answer, but could not explain to myself what is wrong with it.


Factorial correction (multiplying by x!/(y!...)) account for different ways an event can occur. For example, THH can occur in 3 ways: THH, HTH and HHT, so we are multiplying by 3!/2! = 3 (3!/2! is the number of permutations of 3 letters THH where 2 T's are the same).

TTT case can occur only in one way Tails, Tails, Tails, so there is no need for factorial correction for this case.

Hope it's clear.

Theory on Combinations: math-combinatorics-87345.html

DS questions on Combinations: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=31
PS questions on Combinations: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=52

Tough and tricky questions on Combinations: hardest-area-questions-probability-and-combinations-101361.html
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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tejal777 wrote:
The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any given toss. If the coin is tossed 3 times, what is the probability that at least one of the tosses will turn up tails?

A. 0.064
B. 0.36
C. 0.64
D. 0.784
E. 0.936

Where's my error:
P(1)+P(2)+P(3)
6/10.4/10.4/10 + 6/10.6/10.4/10 +6/10.6/10.6/10
=0.516
:(


ASIDE---------------
We want P(select at least 1 tails)
When it comes to probability questions involving "at least," it's best to try using the complement.
That is, P(Event A happening) = 1 - P(Event A not happening)
So, here we get: P(getting at least 1 tails) = 1 - P(not getting at least 1 tails)
What does it mean to not get at least 1 tails? It means getting zero tails.
So, we can write: P(getting at least 1 tails) = 1 - P(getting zero tails)
-------------------

P(getting zero tails)
P(getting zero tails) = P(heads on 1st toss AND heads on 2nd toss AND heads on 3rd toss)
= P(heads on 1st toss) x P(heads on 2nd toss) x P(heads on 3rd toss)
= 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4
= 0.064


So, P(getting at least 1 tails) = 1 - 0.064 = 0.936

Answer: E

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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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tejal777 wrote:
The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any given toss. If the coin is tossed 3 times, what is the probability that at least one of the tosses will turn up tails?

A. 0.064
B. 0.36
C. 0.64
D. 0.784
E. 0.936

Where's my error:
P(1)+P(2)+P(3)
6/10.4/10.4/10 + 6/10.6/10.4/10 +6/10.6/10.6/10
=0.516
:(


We can use the formula:

P(At least 1 tail) = 1 - P(no tails)

P(no tails) = 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 = 0.064

P(at least 1 tail) = 1 - 0.064 = 0.936

Answer: E
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an unfair coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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Given that The probability is 0.6 that an “unfair” coin will turn up tails on any given toss. If the coin is tossed 3 times. We need to find what is the probability that at least one of the tosses will turn up tails?

As the coin is tossed three times then number of cases = \(2^3\) = 8

P(At least one Tail) = 1 - P( 0 Tail) = 1 - P(HHH)

P(T) = 0.6 => P(H) = 1 - 0.6 = 0.4

=> P(HHH) = 0.4*0.4*0.4 = 0.064

=> P(At least one Tail) = 1 - P(HHH) = 1 - 0.064 = 0.936

So, Answer will be E
Hope it helps!

Watch the following video to learn How to Solve Probability with Coin Toss Problems

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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an unfair coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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Re: The probability is 0.6 that an unfair coin will turn up tails on any [#permalink]
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