Question

you flip a coin twice. what is the probability of getting heads and then getting tails? write your answer as a fraction or whole number.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine single - flip probabilities

The probability of getting heads in a single fair coin - flip is $\frac{1}{2}$, and the probability of getting tails in a single fair coin - flip is also $\frac{1}{2}$.

Step2: Use the multiplication rule for independent events

Since the two coin - flips are independent events, the probability of getting heads on the first flip and tails on the second flip is the product of the probabilities of each event. So, $P(\text{heads then tails})=\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$.

Step3: Calculate the result

$\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{4}$