Q. In tossing of a coin $(m + n)(m > n)$ times, the probability of coming consecutive heads at least $m$ times is

A) $\frac{n + 2}{2^{m + 1}}$
B) $\frac{m - n}{2^{m + n}}$
C) $\frac{m + n}{2^{m + n}}$
D) $\frac{mn}{2^{m + n}}$
Explanation

(a)
Let $'H'$denote the head and any of them come is $'A'$.Suppose the sequence of $m$ consecutive heads start with first throw, then
$P\lbrack(HH\ldots.m\ times)(AA\ldots n\ times)\rbrack$
$= \left( \frac{1}{2}.\frac{1}{2}\ldots.m\ times \right)(1..1.\ldots.n\ times)$
$= \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^{m}$
Now, suppose the sequence of $m$ consecutive heads start with second throw, the first must be a tail,
$\therefore P\lbrack T(H.H\ldots m\ times)(A.A\ldots n - 1\ times)\rbrack$
$= \frac{1}{2}.\frac{1}{2^{m}} \times (1)^{n - 1} = \frac{1}{2^{m + 1}}$
Similarly, as above
$\therefore$Required probability
$= \frac{1}{2^{m}} + \left( \frac{1}{2^{m + 1}} + \frac{1}{2^{m + 1}} + \ldots n\ times \right)$
$= \frac{1}{2^{m}} + \frac{n}{2^{m + 1}} = \frac{n + 2}{2^{m + 1}}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.