LET’S TRY ONE
A fair coin is tossed 4 times independently. What is the probability of exactly 1 heads? Give a fraction in simplest form.
There are 16 equally likely ordered outcomes. Choose the 1 head positions in 4 ways: probability = 1/4.
Learning steps & teaching tips
Combine independent equally likely trials with a count of favorable position sets.
- Choose the successful positions and multiply by each sequence’s probability.
- Work through the example and explain why each operation is used.
- Estimate or use another method to check the result before choosing.
Try it together
Work with a partner: solve one example, explain the method, then change one number and predict what changes.
Choose the successful positions and multiply by each sequence’s probability.