Three persons, A, B, C are asked to toss a coin in succession. A prize will be awarded to the first person to throw a head. Calculate the probability that no person will win the prize.....
Any Genius out there????????
2007-02-15 05:43:28 · 9 answers · asked by ashok23 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
If A wins B & C will never get a chance to toss the coin. Same as A fail to get Head B wins C will never get a chance to wins. (Note: A, B & C get only once chance to toss).. So 1/8 wont be the answer) ... Come on any one there to help me ?
2007-02-15 08:34:15 · update #1
Yes if person A flips a head nobody else can win it. but thats not what the question asks
Your asking what are the odds that NOBODY wins...therefore everyone must flip the coin. person A does not flip a head. Person B also does not throw a head. And person C does not flip a head.
therefore 1/2*1/2*1/2=1/8.
Sometimes the easy answer is the right answer. Stop looking for a harder answer.
2007-02-15 05:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by ×?ΪЯР2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The chance that person A will throw heads is an even chance. As is the chance that B will throw heads. Also person C has an even chance of throwing heads. Each of the three has the same chance of throwing tails. There is an even chance that no one will throw heads. This is true even if 1,000,000 people have a throw. Now if you ask what are the chances of the coin landing on its edge, well that is a different matter.
The three events are not connected and are each a single event. The prize could be won after the first, second or third throw or not at all. So the probability that no-one will win the prize remains the same - An even chance
2007-02-15 14:39:32 · answer #2 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(1/2)^3=1/8
2007-02-15 16:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by adriantheace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/8 is the probability they all throw a tails.
(1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2)
2007-02-15 13:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Odds are 8/1
2007-02-15 13:49:34 · answer #5 · answered by SAMMY 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
1 in 8 chance that no one will win or 12.5 %
2007-02-15 13:52:43 · answer #6 · answered by stevie b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1/8
A has a 50% chance he will lose
A & B has a 25% chance one of them will lose
A, B & C have half that again 12.5% chance will lose
12.5% x 8 = 100% so it is 1/8
2007-02-15 13:55:11 · answer #7 · answered by CalD 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The possibilities are (H,H,H) (H,T,H) (H,H,T) (T.H.H) (T,T,T) (T,H,T)
(T,T,H) (H,T,T)
The total number of events is 8
Possibilty of no person to win the prize will be
n(b)/n(a) = 1/8
Thus the answer is 1/8
2007-02-15 13:59:35 · answer #8 · answered by ajeeth p 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do your own homework!!!
2007-02-15 13:50:28 · answer #9 · answered by HORSE WIZARD 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋