Question

If a certain coin is flipped, the probability that the coin will land heads up is 1/2. If the coin is flipped 5 times, what is the probability that it will land heads up on the first 3 flips and not on the last 2 flips?

A) 3/5
B) 1/2
C) 1/5
D) 1/8
E) 1/32

Answer 1

Answer:

Option: E is the correct answer.

      The probability is:

                E)  1/32

Step-by-step explanation:

We know that the outcome on each of the 5 flips are independent of each other.

The probability that the coin will land heads up is 1/2.

The probability that the coin will not land on heads  is 1/2.

( Since,

1-(1/2)=1/2  )

Hence,  the probability that it will land heads up on the first 3 flips and not on the last 2 flips is:

Head on first×Head on second×Head on third×Tail on fourth×Tail on fifth

$=\dfrac{1}{2}\times \dfrac{1}{2}\times \dfrac{1}{2}\times \dfrac{1}{2}\times \dfrac{1}{2}\\\\=\dfrac{1}{32}$