Robert says that if you toss three coins you get 3H (#Heads), 2H (2 Heads), 1 H (1 Head), or OH ( 0Heads), so the probability of getting three heads is 1/4. How do you respond?
This is not geometry.
The probability of getting a head on any one toss by chance = 1/2
The probability of all events occurring is found by multiplying the probabilities of the individual events.
1/2 * 1/2 * 1/2 = ?
To determine the accuracy of Robert's claim, we can examine all the possible outcomes when tossing three coins.
When tossing three coins, there are a total of 2^3 = 8 possible outcomes, since each coin has two possible results (Heads or Tails). These outcomes are:
1. HHT (2 Heads, 1 Tail)
2. HTH (2 Heads, 1 Tail)
3. THH (2 Heads, 1 Tail)
4. TTH (1 Head, 2 Tails)
5. THT (1 Head, 2 Tails)
6. HTT (1 Head, 2 Tails)
7. TTT (0 Heads, 3 Tails)
8. HHH (3 Heads, 0 Tails)
Looking at the outcomes, we observe that there is only one outcome with three heads (HHH) out of the eight possible outcomes. Therefore, the probability of getting three heads when tossing three coins is 1/8, not 1/4 as claimed by Robert.
Based on the information provided by Robert, he claims that if you toss three coins, there are four possible outcomes: 3H (three heads), 2H (two heads), 1H (one head), and OH (no heads). Robert also states that the probability of getting three heads (3H) is 1/4.
To verify Robert's claim, let's calculate the probability of getting three heads by using basic probability principles.
To find the probability, we need to determine the number of favorable outcomes (getting three heads) and the total number of possible outcomes.
The total number of possible outcomes when tossing three coins can be found by recognizing that each coin has two possible outcomes (heads or tails). Since there are three coins, the total number of possible outcomes is 2 * 2 * 2 = 8.
Now, let's determine the number of favorable outcomes (getting three heads). According to Robert's claim, there is only one favorable outcome: 3H (three heads).
Therefore, the probability of getting three heads (3H) is one favorable outcome out of eight possible outcomes, which can be expressed as 1/8, not 1/4.
So, based on the probability calculation, Robert's claim seems to be inaccurate.