If a penny is tossed three times and comes up heads all three times, the probability of heads on the fourth trial is
A) 0.
B) 1/16.
C) 1/2.
D) larger than the probability of tails.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The probability of getting heads on any individual toss of a fair penny is 1/2, which means the probability of getting heads on four consecutive tosses is (1/2)^4 = 1/16. However, the outcome of previous tosses does not affect the probability of future tosses, so the fact that three heads were already obtained does not change the probability of getting heads on the fourth toss. Therefore, the probability is still 1/2.

If a Penny Is Tossed Three Times and Comes Up