What is the probability of tossing a coin three times and the outcome being one head and two tails (in any order)?

a) 1/2
b) 1/4
c) 3/8
d) 5/8
e) 3/4




I came up with a different answer then the what was given as the correct one. I want to see what you guys come up with.


below is my logic:








To me the answer is 1/4. Reasoning: Only 4 outcomes - 3 heads, 3 tails, 2 heads and 1 tail, or 2 tails and 1 head.


Btw, this is the answer given:

Probability of throwing head (H) = 1/2
Probability of throwing tail (T) = 1/2

P(TTH) = 1/2 x1/2 x1/2 = 1/8
P(THT) = 1/2 x1/2 x1/2 = 1/8
P(HTT) = 1/2 x1/2 x1/2 = 1/8

=3/8


discuss...

 

If it's a fair coin (which isn't stipulated, by the way), then the answer is 3/8.

There are eight possible outcomes, all equally likely:

HHH
HHT
HTH
THT
HTT
THT
TTH
TTT

Three of them have one head and two tails.

 

3 heads
HHH

3 tails
TTT

2 heads and 1 tail
HHT
HTH
THH

2 tails and 1 head
TTH
THT
HTT

So, HHH + TTT + 3 versions of (2H & 1T) + 3 versions of (1H & 2T) = 8

How many times did 1H & 2T come up? 3 times, so 3/8.

 

there is no spoon

 

50/50

 

42

 

I tail and head.

 

100% of statistics are right 75% of the time.

 

no no, 85% of statistics are made up on the spot and only 40% are close to being correct.

 

I'm 48.9% confused.