Instructor: Conrad Perez

Student: Jennifer Tofan

Course: Math 21 Online (52031) - Spring Assignment: 7.5
Date: 04/18/23
2023

If A and B are events such that ​P(A) = 0.8 and ​P(A∪​B) = 0.9, find​P(B) when
(a) A and B are mutually​exclusive;
(b) A and B are independent.

(a) Two events that cannot both occur at the same time are called mutually exclusive events. If A and B are mutually exclusive​events, then
A∩B = ∅ and ​P(A∩​B) = 0.

For any events A and​B, the Union Rule for Probability states the following.

P(A∪​B) = ​P(A) + ​P(B) − ​P(A∩​B)

Substitute the known values into this formula.

​P(A∪B) = ​P(A) + ​P(B) − ​P(A∩​B)

0.9 = 0.8 + ​P(B) − ​P(A∩​B) Substitute known values.

Since ​P(A∩​B) = ​0, solve this equation for​P(B).

0.9 = 0.8 + ​P(B) − ​P(A∩​B)

0.9 = 0.8 + ​P(B) Use the fact that ​P(A∩​B) = 0.
0.9 − 0.8 = ​P(B) Subtract 0.8 from both sides.
0.1 = ​P(B) Subtract.

Thus, when A and B are mutually​exclusive, ​P(B) = 0.1.

(b) Events A and B are independent events if ​P(B|A) = ​P(B) or ​P(A|B) = ​P(A).

If A and B are independent​events, the Product Rule for Independent Events states the following.

P(A∩​B) = ​P(A) • ​P(B)

Combine the union rule and the product rule to get an equation for​P(B) and then substitute the known values.

​P(A∪B) = ​P(A) + ​P(B) − ​P(A∩​B) Start with the union rule.

​P(A∪B) = ​P(A) + ​P(B) − ​P(A) • ​P(B) Apply the product rule.
0.9 = 0.8 + ​P(B) − 0.8 • ​P(B) Substitute known values.

Solve this equation for​P(B).

0.9 = 0.8 + ​P(B) − 0.8 • ​P(B)

0.1 = ​P(B) − 0.8 • ​P(B) Subtract 0.8 from both sides.
0.1 = ​P(B)(1 − 0.8​) Factor.
0.1 = ​P(B) • 0.2 Subtract.
0.5 = ​P(B) Divide both sides by 0.2.

Thus, when A and B are​independent, ​P(B) = 0.5.