Q.Three fair coins are tossed simultaneously. Let X denote the number of tails obtained. Find the probability distribution of X.
Concept understanding — Random Variable and Probability Distribution
A random variable is a real-valued function defined on the sample space of a random experiment, assigning a single number to every outcome. A discrete random variable takes finitely many distinct values x1,…,xn, and its probability distribution is the table pairing each value with its probability pi=P(X=xi). A valid probability distribution must satisfy two conditions: every pi≥0, and the probabilities sum to exactly 1 (∑pi=1). Constructing a distribution from a word problem means listing every possible value, computing each value's probability from the underlying sample space, and checking the sum-to-one condition as a safeguard.
[!TLDR] 8 equally likely outcomes; count tails via (x3). [!ANSWER] P(X=0)=81,P(X=1)=83,P(X=2)=83,P(X=3)=81.
With 3 coins there are 23=8 equally likely outcomes. The number of outcomes giving exactly x tails is (x3): (03)=1, (13)=3, (23)=3, (33)=1. Dividing by 8: P(X=0)=81, P(X=1)=83, P(X=2)=83, P(X=3)=81. Check: 81+83+83+81=1 ✓. [!ANSWER] Distribution: P(X=0)=81, P(X=1)=83, P(X=2)=83, P(X=3)=81.
Use (x3) to count outcomes with exactly x tails out of the 8 equally likely outcomes, then divide each count by 8.
Listing only a few outcomes by hand and miscounting (e.g. forgetting that HTT,THT,TTH are three distinct outcomes for X=2) undercounts a probability.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The value of k for the random variable y with the given probability distribution is ................. . [Table: y = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ; P(y) = k, 2k, 3k, 4k, 5k](a) 1/2(b) 1/3(c) 1/15(d) 1/20
›Reveal solutionSolution
All probabilities in a distribution must sum to 1.
k+2k+3k+4k+5k=15k=1⇒k=151
✓Final answerk=1/15 — option (c).
- CBSE 2026Set SEM31 markMCQQ.A biased coin is tossed n times. The probability of getting a head is p(0<p<1), then the probability that the rth(r<n) head will appear in the nth tossing is(a) n−1Cr−1prqn−r(b) nCrprqn−r(c) pr(d) pn−r
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rth head lands on toss n means: exactly r−1 heads in the first n−1 tosses, and the nth toss is a head.
This is a Bernoulli-trials counting argument, an NCERT/CBSE Class 12 probability staple (here with success probability p, q=1−p).
For the rth head to appear precisely on the nth toss:
- among the first n−1 tosses there are exactly r−1 heads (and (n−1)−(r−1)=n−r tails), which happens in n−1Cr−1pr−1qn−r ways/probability;
- the nth toss is a head, probability p.
Multiplying the independent parts:
n−1Cr−1pr−1qn−r⋅p=n−1Cr−1prqn−r.
✓Final answerRequired probability =n−1Cr−1prqn−r — option (a).
- CBSE 2026Set SEM31 markMCQQ.The following represents a probability distribution of a random variable X:Then P(X≥2) is
X=xi 0 1 2 3 4 P(X=xi) k 2k 3k 4k 5k (a) 51(b) 52(c) 53(d) 54›Reveal solutionSolution
Find k from ∑P=1, then add the probabilities for X=2,3,4.
Using ∑P(X=xi)=1 to complete a probability distribution is a CBSE/NCERT Class 12 probability skill.
Since all probabilities sum to 1:
k+2k+3k+4k+5k=15k=1⇒k=151.
Then
P(X≥2)=P(2)+P(3)+P(4)=3k+4k+5k=12k=1512=54.
✓Final answerP(X≥2)=54 — option (d).
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If the table X=x : 0, 1, 2, 3 p(x) : 0.3, k, 0.2, 0.1 is a distribution of a random variable X, then for what value of k will it be a probability distribution?(i) 0(ii) 0.5(iii) 0.2(iv) 0.4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the fact that the total probability of a probability distribution equals 1.
For p(x) to be a valid probability distribution:
∑p(x)=1
0.3+k+0.2+0.1=1
0.6+k=1⟹k=0.4
✓Final answer(iv) k=0.4.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The random variable X has a probability distribution P(X) of the following form, where k is some real number : P(X)=⎩⎨⎧k,2k,3k,0,if X=0if X=1if X=2otherwise Determine the value of k.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use that the total probability over all values of X equals 1.
The distribution assigns P(X=0)=k, P(X=1)=2k, P(X=2)=3k, and 0 elsewhere.
Since the probabilities of all possible outcomes must add to 1:
k+2k+3k=1
6k=1
k=61.
(Each of k,2k,3k then lies in [0,1], so this is a valid distribution.)
✓Final answerk=61
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The random variable X has the following probability distribution : X : 0, 1, 2, 3 P(X) : K, 2K, 3K, 4K Find P(X < 2).
›Reveal solutionSolution
First find K using ∑P(X)=1, then add P(0)+P(1).
The probability distribution is
X 0 1 2 3 P(X) K 2K 3K 4K Since total probability is 1:
K+2K+3K+4K=1 ⇒ 10K=1 ⇒ K=0.1
P(X<2) means X=0 or X=1:
P(X<2)=P(0)+P(1)=K+2K=3K=3(0.1)=0.3
✓Final answerP(X<2)=0.3.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A random variable X has the probability distribution as given below : X: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; P(X): 0.1, k, 0.3, 2k, 0.2. Then write the value of k.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since total probability must equal 1, solving 0.6+3k=1 gives k=2/15.
For a probability distribution, all probabilities must sum to 1:
0.1+k+0.3+2k+0.2=1
0.6+3k=1
3k=0.4
k=30.4=152
✓Final answerk=2/15≈0.133.
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.An unbiased coin is tossed for 3 times. Then the probability of getting only one head is: OR A coin is tossed 10 times. The probability of getting head 6 times is:(a) 1/2(b) 5/8(c) 3/4(d) 3/8
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a binomial probability — use P(X=k)=(kn)pk(1−p)n−k with n=3, p=21, k=1.
An unbiased coin is tossed 3 times, so n=3 and p=P(head)=21 for each toss.
Probability of exactly 1 head (binomial distribution formula):
P(X=1)=(13)(21)1(21)2
(13)=3
P(X=1)=3×21×41=83
(This also makes sense by direct counting: out of 23=8 equally likely outcomes, exactly 3 have precisely one head — HTT, THT, TTH.)
✓Final answerP(exactly one head)=83 — option (d).
- CBSE 2020Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A discrete random variable X has the probability distribution as given below: X = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 with corresponding P(X) = k, k2, 2k2, k respectively. Then find the value of k.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Setting the sum of probabilities to 1 gives a quadratic in k; the valid probability root is k=31.
For a probability distribution, all probabilities must sum to 1:
k+k2+2k2+k=1 ⇒ 3k2+2k−1=0.
Solve: k=6−2±4+12=6−2±4, giving k=31 or k=−1.
Since a probability cannot be negative, k=−1 is rejected.
✓Final answerk=31.
- CBSE 2019Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A coin is tossed 10 times. The probability of getting head 6 times is(a) 10C5 . 1/2^10(b) 10C3 . 1/2^10(c) 10C4 . 1/2^10(d) 10C8 . 1/2^10
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the binomial probability formula with n=10, p=1/2; note 10C6=10C4.
For a fair coin tossed 10 times, X∼B(10,1/2), so
P(X=6)=(610)(21)10
Since (610)=(10−610)=(410) (by the symmetry property of binomial coefficients), this equals 10C4⋅2101.
✓Final answer(c) 10C4⋅2101 (since 10C6=10C4)
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