Curious Coin Tossing Sequence

Probability Level 1

Sandeep has tossed a fair coin five times and has had this sequence of results:

$\text{Heads, Heads, Tails, Heads, Tails} \; .$

He was wondering how likely this result is compared to the sequence:

$\text{Heads, Heads, Heads, Heads, Heads} \; .$

What is the right answer?

The two sequences are equally likely The first sequence is twice likely as the second The first sequence is 4 times likely as the second The first sequence is 16 times likely as the second sequence

3 solutions

Kay Xspre
Mar 30, 2016

Since this problem counts a sequence (which means HHT does not equal to HTH), any of the 32 sequence are independent from each other, and each is having equal possibility.

Noor Ul Huda
Apr 12, 2016

Each flip is an independent event..so possibility of getting either H or T on each flip is 0.5 regardless of the other flips' outcomes

展豪張
Mar 30, 2016

I think that it is better to specify that the coin is fair .

Thanks. I see that the problem statement has been updated.

In future, if you spot any errors with a problem, you can “report” it by selecting "report problem" in the “line line line” menu in the top right corner. This will notify the problem creator who can fix the issues.

Brilliant Mathematics Staff - 5 years, 2 months ago

Ok. Thank you =D

展豪張 - 5 years, 2 months ago

I dont understand. I say 1/16

Ben Hunter - 5 years, 2 months ago

@Ben Hunter – What do you mean by 1/16?

展豪張 - 5 years, 2 months ago

Curious Coin Tossing Sequence

3 solutions

0 pending reports