Probability is how likely something happens. The probability of an event can be between 0 and 1 only and can also be written in percentage. The probability of event A is often written as P(A).
Whenever we’re uncertain about the outcome of an event, then we talk about the probabilities of certain outcomes—how likely they occur. The analysis of these probabilities is called statistics. To understanding probability we take an example as flipping a coin:
There are two possible outcomes—heads or tails.
What’s the probability of the coin getting heads? You might intuitively know that the likelihood is half/half or 50%. But how do we work that out?
Types of probability
- If P(A) < P(B), LHS is less than RHS then events A and B are unequal likely to occur.
- If P(A) = P(B), LHS is equal to RHS then events A and B are equally likely to occur.
Formula used
What are the odds of flipping 12 heads in a row?
Solution:
Probability of an event = (number of favorable event) / (total number of event).
P(B) = (occurrence of Event B) / (total number of event).
Probability of getting a Head = 1/2.
Tossing a coin is an independent event, it is not dependent on how many times it’s been tossed.
Probability of getting 2 heads in a row = probability of getting head first time×probability of getting head second time.
Probability of getting 2 heads in a row = (1/2) × (1/2).
Similarly, the probability of getting 12 heads in a row = (1/2)12.
Similar Questions
Question 1. What are the odds of flipping tails 20 times in a row?
Solution:
Probability of an event = (number of favorable event) / (total number of event).
P(B) = ((occurrence of Event B) / (total number of event).
Probability of getting a tails = 1/2.
Tossing a coin is an independent event, it is not dependent on how many times it’s been tossed.
Probability of getting 2 tails in a row = probability of getting tails first time×probability of getting tail second time.
Probability of getting 2 tails in a row = (1/2) × (1/2).
Similarly, the probability of getting 20 tails in a row = (1/2)20.
Question 2. What are the odds of flipping tails 12 times in a row?
Solution:
Probability of an event = (number of favorable event) / (total number of event).
P(B) = ((occurrence of Event B) / (total number of event).
Probability of getting a tails = 1/2.
Tossing a coin is an independent event, it is not dependent on how many times it’s been tossed.
Probability of getting 2 tails in a row = probability of getting tail first time×probability of getting tail second time.
Probability of getting 2 tails in a row = (1/2)×(1/2).
Similarly, the probability of getting 12 tails in a row = (1/2)12.