Hi All,
This is a layered probability question that requires some additional math (the combination formula, or the equivalent "mapping" of all possibilities).
We're told that the coin will be flipped 5 times; with every "win", Kate gets $1 and with every "loss", Kate loses $1. Kate starts with $10. We're asked for the probability that Kate ends up with MORE than $10 but less than $15 after 5 tosses.
Let's start with the total number of possible outcomes. Since each coin has 2 options (heads or tails), there are 2^5 = 32 possible outcomes for the 5 flips (which will include a certain number of similar outcomes in different orders - for example HHTTT and THTHT).
To end up with MORE than $10, Kate has to win MORE tosses than she loses. However, if she were to win all 5 tosses, she'd have $15 and we want her to end up with LESS than $15. This means that Kate has to win EITHER 3 times or 4 times.
Since it does not matter which of the 5 tosses is won, as long as it's either 3 or 4 of them, we can use the combination formula:
Combinations = N!/[K!(N-K)!]
For 3 wins, we have 5!/3!2! = 10 possible combinations of 3 wins
For 4 wins, we have 5!/4!1! = 5 possible combinations of 4 wins
So, there are a total of 10+5 = 15 combinations of 5 tosses that "fit" what we're looking for and 32 possible outcomes total.
Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich