A basketball player scores with probability 1/2 on each independent shot. Find the probability of exactly 2 scores in 4 shots.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 3/8

  1. Step 1: Use the binomial formula P = C(n, k) p^k (1 - p)^(n - k).
  2. Step 2: P = C(4, 2) x (1/2)^2 x (1/2)^2 = 6 x 1/4 x 1/4 = 3/8.
Answer
3/8.
Why not the others: '1/4' ignores the failures and the number of arrangements; '3/2' forgets the factor (1 - p) for the misses; '1/16' forgets the binomial coefficient.

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