SOLUTION: Please help me solve this problem Assume that the probability of a boy being born is the same as the probability of a girl being born. Find the probability that a family with t

Algebra ->  Probability-and-statistics -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this problem Assume that the probability of a boy being born is the same as the probability of a girl being born. Find the probability that a family with t      Log On


   

Question 677114: Please help me solve this problem
Assume that the probability of a boy being born is the same as the probability of a girl being born. Find the probability that a family with three children will have two boys and one girl?

Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Solution:
The probability of a boy or a girl being born is 0.5. The probability of 2 boys and 1 girl being born is (0.5)^2(0.5)^1 =(0.5)^3 and the number of ways this can happen is C(2,1).
Therefore the probability of exactly 2 boys and 1 girl being born is C(2,1)(0.5)^3
.
C(2,1)(0.5)^3
since %280.5%29%5E3=%281%2F2%29%5E3=%281%2F2%5E3%29=1%2F8=0.125 or 12.5%