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Coin flipped n times, how many runs indicator variable?

A. 1
B. n
C. n/2
D. 2n

User Wernzy
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1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The runs indicator variable represents the number of consecutive runs of the same outcome in a sequence of coin flips, and the number of runs cannot be determined without knowing the specific sequence of coin flips.

Step-by-step explanation:

The runs indicator variable represents the number of consecutive runs of the same outcome in a sequence of coin flips. A run is a series of consecutive flips that result in the same outcome, either heads or tails. To determine the number of runs in n coin flips, we need to consider the possible outcomes and calculate them.

Let's consider an example where we flip a coin 5 times (n = 5). The possible outcomes can be:

  1. HHHHT
  2. THHHT
  3. TTTTH

In this case, there are 3 runs: H, T, and H. Similarly, with more coin flips, the number of runs will vary depending on the actual sequence of flips.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the number of runs indicator variable cannot be determined without knowing the specific sequence of coin flips. The options provided (A, B, C, D) are not applicable.

User Iakovos Belonias
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