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A student tosses a coin 3 times, and a head appears each time. The student concludes that the coin is not fair. What is your response? Which of the following is a correct response to the statement? A. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does imply the coin is unfair. Only when a fair coin is tossed a few times can we expect to get approximately equal numbers of tails and heads. B. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does imply the coin is unfair. C. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does not imply the coin is unfair. Only when a fair coin is tossed a few times can we expect to get approximately equal numbers of tails and heads. D. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does not imply the coin is unfair. Only when a fair coin is tossed a much greater number of times can we expect to get approximately equal numbers of tails and heads. .

Ask by Morrison Guzman. in the United States
Jan 22,2025

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The correct response is: **D. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does not imply the coin is unfair. Only when a fair coin is tossed a much greater number of times can we expect to get approximately equal numbers of tails and heads.** **Explanation:** A small number of tosses isn't enough to determine if a coin is unfair. More tosses are needed to see if the results are balanced.

Solution

The correct response is: **D. Tossing three heads on the first three tosses of a coin does not imply the coin is unfair. Only when a fair coin is tossed a much greater number of times can we expect to get approximately equal numbers of tails and heads.** **Explanation:** When evaluating whether a coin is fair, observing the outcomes of a small number of tosses (like three) is not sufficient evidence to draw a definitive conclusion. Here's why: - **Probability of Three Heads in a Row:** For a fair coin, the probability of getting heads on a single toss is 0.5. Therefore, the probability of getting three heads in a row is \( (0.5)^3 = 0.125 \) or 12.5%. While this outcome is somewhat unlikely, it is still within the realm of possibility for a fair coin. - **Sample Size Matters:** Small sample sizes can exhibit greater variability, meaning that unusual sequences can occur by chance. To make a more reliable assessment of the coin's fairness, a larger number of tosses would be necessary. With a larger sample size, the results are more likely to reflect the true probability of heads and tails, providing a clearer indication of whether the coin is biased. - **Statistical Significance:** In statistics, conclusions about fairness or bias typically require sufficient evidence. A few tosses do not provide enough data to achieve statistical significance. Only with a larger number of trials can we confidently determine if there's a consistent bias toward heads or tails. In summary, while getting three heads in a row might raise a suspicion, it is not enough evidence on its own to conclude that a coin is unfair. More extensive testing is needed to make an informed judgment.

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The best response here is D. Tossing three heads in a row does not provide sufficient evidence to claim the coin is unfair. In probability, especially with the flip of a coin, it's completely possible to get heads several times in a row purely due to chance. A fair coin has an equal probability of landing on heads or tails, and it's only after a significant number of trials that we can analyze trends or anomalies. When it comes to understanding fairness in a coin, sample size is key! Just like in a game of chance, the more times you toss that coin, the closer you’ll get to the expected 50-50 split of heads and tails. So, while it’s exciting to see three heads, it’s not enough to jump to conclusions about the fairness of your coin!

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