The probability of getting at least one tail in four throws of a coin is:
A. $\dfrac{{15}}{{16}}$
B. $\dfrac{1}{{16}}$
C. $\dfrac{1}{4}$
D. None of these
Answer
299.7k+ views
Hint: The given question revolves around the concepts and principles of probability. In the given case, each coin toss is an independent event. So, we will calculate the probability of getting heads and tails in each coin. Then, we will find the probability of at least one tail occurring in four coin tosses using the sum of probabilities of any event equal to one.
Formula used:
${\text{Probability = }}\left( {\dfrac{{{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}}}{{{\text{Total number of outcomes}}}}} \right)$
${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right) = 1$
Complete step by step solution:
In the problem, we have to calculate the probability of getting at least one tail in four throws of a coin. So, we first calculate the probability of not getting any tail in four throws of a coin.
Then, getting no tail in four throws of a coin means getting four heads in four throws of the coin.
So, we know the probability of getting heads in a coin toss $ = \left( {\dfrac{{{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}}}{{{\text{Total number of outcomes}}}}} \right) = \dfrac{1}{2}$.
Also, each coin toss is an independent event.
So, the probability of getting no tail in four coin tosses $ = {\left( {\dfrac{1}{2}} \right)^4} = \dfrac{1}{{16}}$
Now, we know that the sum of the probabilities in a probability distribution table consisting of all possible ways of doing a certain thing is one. Hence, the sum of the probability of getting at least one head and not happening of a certain thing is one.
Hence, the sum of the probability of getting at least one tail and the probability of getting no tail is equal to one.
Let ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right)$ denote the probability of getting at least one tail and ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right)$ denotes the probability of getting no tail in four coin tosses.
So, we get, ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right) = 1$
$ \Rightarrow {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + \dfrac{1}{{16}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) = 1 - \dfrac{1}{{16}} = \dfrac{{15}}{{16}}$
Hence, the probability of getting at least one tail in four throws of a coin is $\dfrac{{15}}{{16}}$.
So, option (A) is the correct Answer.
Note: The sum of the elementary probabilities of all the possibilities of an event is always equal to one. There are many ways of solving equations as the one formed in the question itself. Method of transposition involves doing the exact same thing on both sides of an equation with the aim of bringing like terms together.
Formula used:
${\text{Probability = }}\left( {\dfrac{{{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}}}{{{\text{Total number of outcomes}}}}} \right)$
${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right) = 1$
Complete step by step solution:
In the problem, we have to calculate the probability of getting at least one tail in four throws of a coin. So, we first calculate the probability of not getting any tail in four throws of a coin.
Then, getting no tail in four throws of a coin means getting four heads in four throws of the coin.
So, we know the probability of getting heads in a coin toss $ = \left( {\dfrac{{{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}}}{{{\text{Total number of outcomes}}}}} \right) = \dfrac{1}{2}$.
Also, each coin toss is an independent event.
So, the probability of getting no tail in four coin tosses $ = {\left( {\dfrac{1}{2}} \right)^4} = \dfrac{1}{{16}}$
Now, we know that the sum of the probabilities in a probability distribution table consisting of all possible ways of doing a certain thing is one. Hence, the sum of the probability of getting at least one head and not happening of a certain thing is one.
Hence, the sum of the probability of getting at least one tail and the probability of getting no tail is equal to one.
Let ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right)$ denote the probability of getting at least one tail and ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right)$ denotes the probability of getting no tail in four coin tosses.
So, we get, ${\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{no tail}}} \right) = 1$
$ \Rightarrow {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) + \dfrac{1}{{16}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow {\text{P}}\left( {{\text{atleast 1 tail}}} \right) = 1 - \dfrac{1}{{16}} = \dfrac{{15}}{{16}}$
Hence, the probability of getting at least one tail in four throws of a coin is $\dfrac{{15}}{{16}}$.
So, option (A) is the correct Answer.
Note: The sum of the elementary probabilities of all the possibilities of an event is always equal to one. There are many ways of solving equations as the one formed in the question itself. Method of transposition involves doing the exact same thing on both sides of an equation with the aim of bringing like terms together.
Recently Updated Pages
If a parabola whose length of latus rectum is 4a touches class 11 maths JEE_Main

Find the cubic polynomial whose zeroes are 3 5 and class 11 maths JEE_Main

During the sale colour pencils were being sold in -class-11-maths-JEE_Main

A man on the top of a vertical observation tower o-class-11-maths-JEE_Main

In a class of 60 students 25 students play cricket class 11 maths JEE_Main

A regular polygon has 20 sides How many triangles can class 11 maths JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 6 Permutations And Combinations - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 9 Straight Lines - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 8 Sequences And Series - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

