Question

If you flip three fair coins, what is the probability that you'll get a tail on the first flip, a head on the second flip, and another tail on the third flip?

Answer 1

probability of first flip being tails = 1/2

probability of second flip being heads = 1/2

probability of 3rd flip being tails = 1/2

probability of all happening = 1/2 * 1/2 * 1/2 = 1/8

Answer 2

12.5%

Explanation:

Probabilities

When flipping three fair coins, we can get the following events, being H=Heads, T=Tails

`\Omega=\{HHH,HHT,HTH,HTT,THH,THT,TTH,TTT\}`

We are looking for the probability of only one specific outcome: THT. The probability to get exactly that combination one out of 8 possible results, that is

`\displaystyle P=(1)/(8)=0.125`

The probability to get a tail on the first flip, a head on the second flip, and another tail on the third flip is 12.5%