Question

If a penny is tossed three times and comes up heads all three times, the probability of heads on the fourth trial is

a. larger than the probability of tails
b. smaller than the probability of tails
c. None of the other answers is correct.
d. 1/16

Answer 1

The probability of getting heads on the fourth trial after getting heads on the first three trials depends on whether the coin used is fair or biased.

Step-by-step explanation:

The probability of getting heads on the fourth trial after getting heads on the first three trials depends on whether the coin used is fair or biased. If the coin is fair, each individual toss is independent and the probability of getting heads on the fourth trial is still 0.5 (the same as the probability of heads on any single toss). However, if the coin is biased, meaning that it is more likely to land on one side than the other, the probability of heads on the fourth trial could be different from 0.5.

Therefore, without knowing whether the coin is fair or biased, we cannot determine the exact probability of heads on the fourth trial. Thus, the correct answer is None of the other answers is correct.