you flip a coin. what is p(tails or heads)? simplify your answer and write it as a fraction or whole number.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall probability formula

The probability of an event $E$ is $P(E)=\frac{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}{\text{Total number of outcomes}}$. When flipping a coin, the total number of possible outcomes is $n = 2$ (heads or tails).

Step2: Calculate $P(\text{tails})$ and $P(\text{heads})$

$P(\text{tails})=\frac{1}{2}$ and $P(\text{heads})=\frac{1}{2}$.

Step3: Use the formula for $P(A\ or\ B)$

For mutually - exclusive events $A$ and $B$ (a coin flip can't be heads and tails at the same time), $P(A\ or\ B)=P(A)+P(B)$. Here $A$ is the event of getting tails and $B$ is the event of getting heads. So $P(\text{tails or heads})=P(\text{tails})+P(\text{heads})=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}$.

Step4: Simplify the result

$\frac{1 + 1}{2}=1$.

Answer:

$1$