Calculating Probability of Getting 3 Heads in a Row in 64 Tosses

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of getting 3 heads in a row in 64 tosses of a coin. It includes theoretical considerations and approaches to probability calculations, with participants exploring different methods and perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the calculation and mentions the need to use combinations (nCr) and permutations (nPr).
  • Another participant proposes starting with simpler cases, such as calculating the probability of heads in one, two, and three tosses before tackling the more complex scenario of four tosses.
  • A different participant suggests identifying the desired sample space by considering how many ways 3 heads in a row can occur within 64 tosses, emphasizing the importance of understanding possibilities before applying nCr and nPr.
  • Another contribution recommends beginning with one toss and progressively building up to more tosses to enumerate all possible outcomes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific method for calculating the probability. Multiple approaches are suggested, and the discussion remains open-ended with various perspectives on how to approach the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the assumptions regarding the independence of tosses or the specific conditions under which the probability is calculated. There is also a lack of clarity on the total number of outcomes considered in the sample space.

Yura
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my brother needs to know this but I'm in exam block right now and can only think of the physics I am studying this term. i can't remember how to figure this out anymore i just know i'll have to use nCr and nPr.
heres the question:
how do i find the probability of getting tossing 3 heads in a row out of 64 tosses?

thanks
 
Last edited:
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Suppose you had one toss only. What is the prob. of a head?

Suppose two tosses. What is the prob. of 2 heads?

Suppose 3 tosses. What is the prob. of 3 heads?

Now, the hard one: in 4 tosses, what is the prob. of one head only? The prob. of 2 heads (regardless of their order)?

The really difficult ones: with 4 tosses, what is the prob. of 2 heads in a row? 3 heads in a row?
 
Last edited:
1st find the desired sample space ie: how many ways are there to have 3 heads in a row out of 64 tosses? don't rush to nCr and nPr just now, think about the possibilities.
then find the total number of possibilities and use the definition a probability.
 
To find the sample space you might start from just one toss, then 2 tosses, then 3, 4, ... etc. and make a list of all possible outcomes for each case.
 

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