Flip a coin 3 times, how many outcomes

Step by step

The question

Question: A coin is flipped 3 times.

How many outcomes are there?

1 Count the choices

2 Draw a tree

3 Multiply

Every choice goes with every other choice.

So we multiply them all: 2 × 2 × 2.

This is the counting principle: multiply the number of choices.

Careful!

We do not add the choices.

Every flip goes with every other one, so we multiply.

2 times 2 is 4.

4 times 2 is 8.

So there are 8 outcomes.

4 Check

Let's check: we count the ends of the tree.

There are 8 ends, one for each.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: count the choices.

Then: draw a tree.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.