2017 AMC 12B Problem 17


A coin is biased in such a way that on each toss the probability of heads is 23\frac{2}{3} and the probability of tails is 13\frac{1}{3} . The outcomes of the tosses are independent. A player has the choice of playing Game A or Game B. In Game A she tosses the coin three times and wins if all three outcomes are the same. In Game B she tosses the coin four times and wins if both the outcomes of the first and second tosses are the same and the outcomes of the third and fourth tosses are the same. How do the chances of winning Game A compare to the chances of winning Game B?

(A)\textbf{(A)} The probability of winning Game A is 481\frac{4}{81} less than the probability of winning Game B.

(B)\textbf{(B)} The probability of winning Game A is 281\frac{2}{81} less than the probability of winning Game B.

(C)\textbf{(C)} The probabilities are the same.

(D)\textbf{(D)} The probability of winning Game A is 281\frac{2}{81} greater than the probability of winning Game B.

(E)\textbf{(E)} The probability of winning Game A is 481\frac{4}{81} greater than the probability of winning Game B.


Full credit goes to MAA for authoring these problems. These problems were taken on the AOPS website.

Show/Hide Hints

Show/Hide Problem Tags

Problem Tags: Counting and probability

Want to contribute problems and receive full credit? Click here to add your problem!
Please report any issues to us in our Discord server
Go to previous contest problem (SHIFT + Left Arrow) Go to next contest problem (SHIFT + Right Arrow)
Category: AMC 12B
Points: 3
Back to practice