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If A and B are two mutually exclusive events such that P(A)=0.3 and P(B)=0.4, find the probability that neither A nor B occurs.
0.7
0.3
0.1
0.6
0.3
For mutually exclusive events, simply subtract the sum of individual probabilities from 1. Result is 1 - (0.3 + 0.4) = 0.3.
Probability of event A, P(A) = 0.3. Probability of event B, P(B) = 0.4. Events A and B are mutually exclusive.
P(neither┬аA┬аnor┬аB)=1тИТP(AтИкB)=1тИТ(P(A)+P(B))
For mutually exclusive events, simply subtract the sum of individual probabilities from 1. Result is 1 - (0.3 + 0.4) = 0.3.
Students often mistakenly assume P(AтИкB)=P(A)├ЧP(B) instead of using the additive law, or they forget to subtract the sum from 1 to find the complement.
Define Additive Law
Since events A and B are mutually exclusive, their intersection P(AтИйB)=0. The probability of their union is the sum of their individual probabilities.
P(AтИкB)=P(A)+P(B)
Calculate Union
Substitute the given values into the additive formula: P(AтИкB)=0.3+0.4=0.7.
P(AтИкB)=0.7
Find Probability of Neither
The probability of neither A nor B occurring is the complement of the union of A and B, calculated as 1тИТP(AтИкB).
P(neither┬аA┬аnor┬аB)=1тИТ0.7=0.3
B is correct because the probability of neither A nor B is 1тИТ(0.3+0.4)=0.3.
This concept of complements is foundational for 'at least one' problems in combinatorics and Bayesian probability calculations.