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When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is

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Joined: 08 Oct 2012

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When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is [#permalink]

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Updated on: 29 Oct 2012, 00:17

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When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.5. If the coin is flipped 6 times, what is the probability that there are exactly 3 heads?

A. 1/4
B. 1/3
C. 5/16
D. 31/64
E. 1/2

Spoiler: OA

Originally posted by kapsycumm on 28 Oct 2012, 17:47.
Last edited by Bunuel on 29 Oct 2012, 00:17, edited 2 times in total.

Renamed the topic.

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Re: When a certain coin is flipped [#permalink]

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28 Oct 2012, 21:27

kapsycumm wrote:

When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.5. If the coin is flipped 6 times, what is the probability that there are exactly 3 heads?

A. 1/4
B. 1/3
C. 5/16
D. 31/64
E. 1/2

Required series is HHHTTT = $(\frac{1}{2})^6$ = $1/64$

This combination can occur in $\frac{6!}{3!*3!}$ ways. ie 20 ways

So answer = $\frac{1}{64}*20$ $= \frac{5}{16}$

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Re: When a certain coin is flipped [#permalink]

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28 Oct 2012, 22:36

kapsycumm wrote:

When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.5. If the coin is flipped 6 times, what is the probability that there are exactly 3 heads?

A. 1/4
B. 1/3
C. 5/16
D. 31/64
E. 1/2

Out of 6 tosses, exactly 3 heads implies exactly 3 tails.
You can get 3 heads and 3 tails in various ways: HHHTTT, HHTHTT, TTTHHH etc
How many such ways are there? We just need to find the number of ways of arranging 3 Hs and 3 Ts in a row. This can be done in 6!/3!*3! = 20 ways (the 3 Hs are identical and the 3 Ts are identical)

Probability of obtaining HHHTTT = (0.5)*(0.5)*(0.5)*(0.5)*(0.5)*(0.5)

Probability of obtaining 3Hs and 3 Ts in any order = (0.5)^6 * 20 = 5/16

Check out this post for a discussion on binomial probability concept:
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/02 ... obability/
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Re: When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is [#permalink]

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29 Oct 2012, 00:17

When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.5. If the coin is flipped 6 times, what is the probability that there are exactly 3 heads?

A. 1/4
B. 1/3
C. 5/16
D. 31/64
E. 1/2

We need the proability of HHHTTT (any combination of this): $P=\frac{6!}{3!3!}*(\frac{1}{2})^6=\frac{20}{64}=\frac{5}{16}$. We are multiplying by $\frac{6!}{3!3!}$ since HHHTTT scenario can occur in several ways: HHHTT, THHHTT, TTHHHT, ... basically the number of permutations of 6 letters HHHTTT, out of which 3 H's and T's are identical ($\frac{6!}{3!3!}$);

Answer: C.

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Probability chapter of out Math Book:
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Hope it helps.
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Re: When a certain coin is flipped, the probability of heads is [#permalink]

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