What is the probability of a family having five boys born in a row? (Assume the probability of a male birth is 1/2.)

Key Concepts

Probability Basics

Probability is a measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1. In this context, the probability of a single event, such as the birth of a boy, is given as 1/2. Understanding basic probability principles is essential for calculating the likelihood of multiple independent events occurring in sequence.

Independent Events

Independent events are those whose outcomes do not affect each other. In this scenario, the birth of each child is independent; the outcome of one birth does not influence the next. This concept is crucial for calculating the overall probability of multiple births, as the probabilities of independent events can be multiplied together.

Multiplication Rule of Probability

The multiplication rule states that the probability of multiple independent events occurring together is the product of their individual probabilities. For this question, to find the probability of having five boys in a row, you would multiply the probability of having a boy (1/2) by itself five times, resulting in (1/2)^5. This rule is fundamental for solving problems involving sequences of independent events.