[Math] Expected number of consecutive heads in 3 coin tosses

probability

What is the expected number of consecutive Heads from 3 coin tosses?

I see the solution available here but am unsure if it is applicable to the question above, as that solution refers to a particular number of consecutive heads whereas this one could have 2 or 3 consecutive heads.

Thank You

Best Answer

Honestly, this is a question I found in a probability book that I am practicing and doesnt have answers, so I dont know what the correct definition is. But I feel that HHT has 1 and HHH has 2.

Well, then if the "number of consecutive heads" is counting the number of "heads which follow immediately after another head", then the expected number of consecutive heads will be : $$0\cdot \tfrac 5 8 +1\cdot\tfrac 28+ 2\cdot\tfrac 18 =\tfrac 48$$

Because of the eight equiprobable outcomes, five have no consecutive heads, two have one consecutive heads, and one has two consecutive heads.

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