NIMCET 2024 — Mathematics PYQ
NIMCET | Mathematics | 2024A coin is thrown 8 number of times. What is the probability of getting a head in an odd number of throw?
Choose the correct answer:
- A.
3/4
- B.
1/4
- C.
1/2
(Correct Answer) - D.
1/8
1/2
Explanation
When a fair coin is tossed, the probability of getting a head (p) and the probability of getting a tail (q) in any single throw are:
p=21
q=21
The coin is thrown n=8 times. We need to find the probability of getting a head an odd number of times. This means we want to find the probability of getting exactly 1, 3, 5, or 7 heads.
Using the Binomial Distribution Formula, the probability of getting exactly r successes in n trials is given by:
P(X=r)=(rn)⋅pr⋅qn−r
Substituting n=8, p=21, and q=21:
P(X=r)=(r8)⋅(21)r⋅(21)8−r=(r8)⋅(21)8
Step 1: Write the expression for the total probability of odd outcomes
P(odd number of heads)=P(X=1)+P(X=3)+P(X=5)+P(X=7)
P(odd number of heads)=[(18)+(38)+(58)+(78)]⋅(21)8
Step 2: Use Binomial Identity properties
According to the properties of binomial coefficients, the sum of odd binomial coefficients is equal to half of the total sum of all binomial coefficients:
(1n)+(3n)+(5n)+⋯=2n−1
For n=8:
(18)+(38)+(58)+(78)=28−1=27
Step 3: Calculate the final probability value
Substitute this value back into our probability equation:
P(odd number of heads)=27⋅(21)8
P(odd number of heads)=2827
P(odd number of heads)=21

