Question Differentiate between experimental and theoretical probability in the following question. Pashmina flips a double-sided coin 20 times, and it lands on heads 15 times. What is the theoretical probability that it will land on heads?(1 point) Responses 34 Start Fraction 3 over 4 End Fraction 25 Start Fraction 2 over 5 End Fraction 14 Start Fraction 1 over 4 End Fraction 12

1 answer

To differentiate between experimental and theoretical probability in the context of this question, we can first define each:

  • Experimental Probability is determined by conducting an experiment and observing the outcomes. In this case, Pashmina flipped a double-sided coin 20 times and observed that it landed on heads 15 times. Therefore, the experimental probability \( P(E) \) of landing on heads is calculated as:

\[ P(E) = \frac{\text{Number of heads}}{\text{Total flips}} = \frac{15}{20} = \frac{3}{4}. \]

  • Theoretical Probability is based on expected outcomes when all outcomes are equally likely, without performing any actual experiments. For a fair double-sided coin, the theoretical probability \( P(T) \) of landing on heads is:

\[ P(T) = \frac{\text{Number of favorable outcomes (heads)}}{\text{Total outcomes (heads or tails)}} = \frac{1}{2}. \]

Now let's summarize the answer to the specific question:

The theoretical probability that a fair double-sided coin will land on heads is \( \frac{1}{2} \).

In the provided options, none of them mention \( \frac{1}{2} \) as an answer. It seems you may be looking for the experimental probability based on the 20 flips, which would be \( \frac{3}{4} \) (or 75%). Thus, for this context:

  • The experimental probability is \( \frac{3}{4} \).
  • The theoretical probability is \( \frac{1}{2} \).

Since the direct answer to your question about the theoretical probability is not in the choices given, please clarify if you need a specific response based on the experimental data provided, or if there's anything else you'd like to explore.