Math  /  Data & Statistics

QuestionYou flip a coin twice.
What is the probability of getting tails and then getting tails? Simplify your answer and write it as a fraction or whole number. \square

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? What are the chances of flipping a coin twice and getting tails both times? Watch out! Don't mix up "and" and "or" probability! "And" means *both* events must happen.

STEP 2

1. Probability of first flip
2. Probability of second flip
3. Combined probability

STEP 3

Alright, let's **start** with the first flip!
What's the probability of getting tails?
Well, a coin has two sides: heads and tails.
Assuming it's a fair coin, there's only **one** way to get tails out of **two** possible outcomes.

STEP 4

So, the probability of getting tails on the first flip is 12\frac{1}{2}.
One **favorable outcome** (tails) divided by **two total outcomes** (heads or tails).

STEP 5

Now for the second flip!
It's the same situation as the first flip.
We still have **one** way to get tails out of **two** possible outcomes.

STEP 6

So, the probability of getting tails on the second flip is *also* 12\frac{1}{2}.

STEP 7

Here's the exciting part!
We want *both* flips to be tails.
When we want two events to happen in a row, we **multiply** their probabilities.
Why? Because the second flip's outcome is independent of the first flip's outcome!

STEP 8

So, the probability of getting tails and *then* tails is: 1212 \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{2}

STEP 9

Let's **calculate** that: 1212=1122=14 \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \cdot 1}{2 \cdot 2} = \frac{1}{4}

STEP 10

The probability of getting tails and then tails is 14\frac{1}{4}.

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