When tossed, a certain coin has equal probability of landing on either side. If the coin is tossed 3 times, what is

This topic has expert replies
Moderator
Posts: 7187
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 4:43 pm
Followed by:23 members

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

When tossed, a certain coin has equal probability of landing on either side. If the coin is tossed 3 times, what is the probability that it will land on the same side each time?

A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/3
D. 3/8
E. 1/2


OA B

Source: GMAT Prep

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770
BTGmoderatorDC wrote:
Sun Jun 12, 2022 5:45 am
When tossed, a certain coin has equal probability of landing on either side. If the coin is tossed 3 times, what is the probability that it will land on the same side each time?

A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/3
D. 3/8
E. 1/2


OA B

Source: GMAT Prep
P(3 matching tosses) = P(ANY result on 1st toss AND 2nd toss matches 1st toss AND 3rd toss matches 2nd toss)
= P(ANY result on 1st toss) x P(2nd toss matches 1st toss ) x P(3rd toss matches 2nd toss)
= 1 x 1/2 x 1/2
= 1/4
= B
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image