Question

as you read, circle the answers to each key question. underline any words you do not understand.
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probability likelihood that a particular event will occur
homozygous having two identical alleles for a particular gene
heterozygous having two different alleles for a particular gene
phenotype physical characteristics of an organism
genotype genetic makeup of an organism
using prior knowledge in math class, you have studied probability using coin tosses. flipping a coin is like studying the genetics of a gene with two different alleles. each coin flip has a probability of \\( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \\) of landing heads up. the probability of flipping two coins and getting heads on both tosses is \\( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \times \frac { 1 } { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 4 } \\). if you flip a coin 50 times, about how many times would you expect to get heads?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the probability of getting heads in one flip

The probability of getting heads in one coin flip is \( p=\frac{1}{2}\)

Step2: Use the formula for expected value

The expected value \(E = n\times p\), where \(n = 50\) (number of trials) and \(p=\frac{1}{2}\) (probability of success in a single trial)

Substitute the values into the formula: \(E=50\times\frac{1}{2}\)

Step3: Calculate the result

\(E = 25\)

Answer:

25