(related to Problem: Two Questions in Probabilities)
In tossing with the five pennies all at the same time, it is obvious that there are $32$ different ways in which the coins may fall, because the first coin may fall in either of two ways, then the second coin may also fall in either of two ways and so on. Therefore five $2$'s multiplied together make $32.$ Now, how are these $32$ ways made up? Here they are:—
Now, it will be seen that the only favorable cases are a, b, c, and d — $12$ cases. The remaining $20$ cases are unfavorable because they do not give at least four heads or four tails. Therefore the chances are only $12$ to $20$ in your favor, or (which is the same thing) $3$ to $5.$ Put another way, you have only $3$ chances out of $8.$
The amount that should be paid for a draw from the bag that contains three sovereigns and one shilling is $15s.$ $3d.$ Many persons will say that, as one's chances of drawing a sovereign were $3$ out of $4,$ one should pay three-fourths of a pound, or $15s.$, overlooking the fact that one must draw at least a shilling — there being no blanks.
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