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Flip a coin 3 times

How to Flip a Coin 3 times?

We humans tend to have two thumbs so flipping a coin 3 times at the same time can prove difficult. You can toss a coin three times, each time making note of its outcome. Or you can use Flippey! Simply click on the Flip button to toss a coin and see the three coins flip at once with instant results. Don’t let the lack of 3 thumbs hold you back any further!

Flippey is perfect for:

  • Fun
  • Seeing instant results of multiple coin toss

Probability of a coin toss

Understanding coin flip probabilities is a great introduction to basic probability concepts. Whether you’re studying for an exam or just curious, these simple calculations form the building blocks of deeper probability theory. Let’s get into some light math.

Flip a coin 3 times how many possible outcomes

When flipping a coin 3 times, each flip has 2 possible outcomes: Heads (H) or Tails (T). Thus, the total number of possible outcomes is:
2^3 = 8 possible outcomes
These outcomes are: HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, and TTT.

Probability of getting exactly 1 Heads and 2 Tails when flipping 3 Coins

When flipping three coins, there are 2^3 = 8 possible outcomes: HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, and TTT. To find the probability of getting exactly 1 Head or exactly 2 Tails, we must identify the favorable outcomes.
  • Exactly 1 Head: HTT, THT, TTH
  • Exactly 2 Tails: HTT, THT, TTH
Interestingly, getting exactly 1 Head and getting exactly 2 Tails are the same events in this case. There are 3 favorable outcomes out of 8 total. Thus, the probability is:
Probability = 3/8 = 0.375 or 37.5%.

Probability of not getting a Heads when flipping 3 Coins

Not getting a Head means getting all Tails. The only outcome that satisfies this is TTT. There is 1 favorable outcome out of 8 possible outcomes. Thus, the probability is:
Probability = 1/8 = 0.125 or 12.5%.

Probability of getting a Heads when flipping a coin 3 times

To find the probability of getting at least one Head when flipping a coin 3 times, it’s easier to first find the probability of getting no Heads (all Tails) and subtract that from 1. Probability of all Tails = 1/8 (as calculated above). Probability of at least one Head = 1 - Probability of all Tails Thus:
Probability = 1 - 1/8 = 7/8 = 0.875 or 87.5%.

Probability of getting one of a kind when flipping 3 Coins

“One of a kind” in coin flips typically means all coins show the same face — either all Heads or all Tails.
  • All Heads: HHH
  • All Tails: TTT
There are 2 favorable outcomes out of 8 possible outcomes. Thus, the probability is:
Probability = 2/8 = 1/4 = 0.25 or 25%.

Learn more on probability basics? Check out these great resources:

  • Basic Probability Brown University offers a great interactive tool to help explain Basic Probability showing observed outcomes vs true probabilities. It goes into the mathematical framework that allows us to analyze the chances of an even in a logical manner. It’s simple presentation and interactive tool makes it a fun way to start understanding the basics of probability
  • MathIsFun offers a straight forward article but with some nice visualizations of probability examples. Learn more on probability using coins, dice, and cards Math Antics video is a fun watch on probability using the example of flipping a coin multiple times

Probability calculators

  • Mathos AI solves probability problems instantly: our calculator solves equations, interprets images of math questions, and generates helpful graphs.
  • Probability Calculator finds probability of one event, given probabilities of other events. Explains analysis and shows computations. Fast, easy, accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you flip a coin three times?

Sure you can flip a coin three times. Simply do one coin toss at a time, mark the result, then move on to the next flip. Flippey allows you to do 3 flips instantly. Just tap on the Flip icon and see the coins flip on screen with a tally of the results. No need to break open your piggy bank, just come over to Flippey for your coin toss needs.

What happens if you flip a coin 1 million times?

If you flip a coin 1 million times, you would expect the number of Heads and Tails to be roughly equal, assuming a fair coin. Due to the Law of Large Numbers, as the number of trials increases, the experimental probability (observed results) tends to get closer to the theoretical probability (50% Heads, 50% Tails). However, small deviations are still expected, and it’s normal to see a slight imbalance even after many flips.

Is Google Coin Flip really 50/50?

Google’s result page includes a flip coin. It’s lovely, not as cool as Flippey... of course, but nonetheless. Like Flippey, it is designed to simulate a fair coin, meaning each flip should have an equal 50/50 chance of landing on Heads or Tails. But, keep in mind that true randomness is difficult to achieve perfectly in a digital environment. For practical purposes, Google’s Coin Flip can be considered close enough to a true 50/50 outcome.

Heads seem obvious, but why tails?

Why do we even use heads or tails? Turns out earlier coins had images of symbolic animals. Typically depicting like a lion’s head in what could be considered the front of the coin. So the term tail is in reference to the back side or the opposite of an animals head: its tail. Head over to StackExchange to learn more about the different languages used to indicate the sides of coins. The use of “heads” and “tails” has become a universally recognized way to refer to the two sides of a coin, but the history behind these terms is quite fascinating. The tradition of depicting heads on coins dates back to ancient civilizations, where coins frequently featured the likeness of rulers, deities, or significant animals to convey power and authority. This not only served as a method of identification but also as a means of propagating the image of the ruling class or significant cultural symbols. Over time, these terms became standardized in many cultures, leading to the phrases we use today. Interestingly, in different cultures around the world, the terminology can vary. For instance, in some languages, the terms for the two sides might refer to different objects or concepts altogether, reflecting the unique cultural significance attached to the imagery on their coins. These conversations often highlight the intersection of language, culture, and history, enriching our understanding of something as simple as a coin toss. So, the next time you flip a coin, remember that there’s a rich tapestry of history behind those two simple terms!