Question

Tell if the events are independent or dependent. Explain your reasoning.

Mr. O’Leary gets heads on a coin toss and then gets tails by tossing the same coin again.

A.
The events are dependent, because the events affect each other.

B.
The events are dependent, because the events do not affect each other.

C.
The events are independent, because the events affect each other.

D.
The events are independent, because the events do not affect each other.

Answer 1

when you flip a coin, does the outcome of the first flip have any effect on the second flip?

Answer 2

Uh. Yes?

Answer 3

when you flip a coin, what's the probability of heads?

Answer 4

1 out of 2?
I'm the worst at probability.

Answer 5

good.

now take that same coin and flip it again. what's the probability of heads?

Answer 6

2 out of 2?

Answer 7

hm, not quite. there are two sides and only one has heads, right? so what's the probability of heads?

Answer 8

1 out of 2

Answer 9

good! notice a pattern? no matter how many times you flip, the probability is always 1/2

Answer 10

so the two events do not affect each other

Answer 11

so... does that make the events independent or dependent?

Answer 12

dependent

Answer 13

please review the definitions of independent and dependent events

Answer 14

I think I get it. It's independent

Answer 15

good!

Answer 16

Thanks.