Proving Statements to Help You Out

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving statements related to probability theory, specifically focusing on conditional probability and the relationships between events. Participants explore various probability rules and identities, while also addressing the appropriateness of providing direct answers to homework questions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help with proving specific probability statements, indicating difficulty with the concepts.
  • Another participant suggests using the rules of probability, such as the formula for conditional probability, to derive the answers.
  • Moderators remind participants not to do homework for others, emphasizing the importance of learning rather than simply providing solutions.
  • Some participants debate the ethics of helping with homework, discussing the potential long-term benefits and drawbacks of providing direct answers versus teaching concepts.
  • Several posts shift to a light-hearted discussion about the proverb regarding teaching versus giving, referencing various attributions and interpretations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on whether providing direct answers to homework questions is beneficial or detrimental to learning. Participants express differing views on the implications of such assistance.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the appropriateness of helping with homework and the impact of such help on learning outcomes. The discussion includes references to specific probability rules but does not resolve the original request for proof.

Altemicione
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1. Prove each of the following statements (assume that any conditioning event has positive probability).
(a) If A is subset of B then P(B|A)=1 and p(A|B)=P(A)/P(B).
(b) If A and B are mutually exclusive, then p(A|A u B)=((P(A)/((P(A)+P
(B))
(C) P(A n B n C)= P(A|B n C) P( B|C) P(C)

I"m really having problem in doing these. could someone help me out?
 
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You just need to use the rules/identities of probability:

P(X|Y) = P(XnY)/P(Y)

and if A < B, then P(AnB)= P(A) since AnB=A, and P(AuB)=P(B) since AuB=B

if A and B are mutually exclusive then P(AnB)=0 and P(AuB)=P(A)+P(B)

the third follows from repeatedly applying the formula for conditional probability.
 
Moderator's note: please don't do others' homework for them
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Have you been able to get anywhere on this, Altemicione?
 
Moderator's note: Same goes for you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Why can't we help a brother out?
 
you can, but just feeding the answers helps no one.
 
helps him pass his class
so it helps one person
then it helps his parents so they have to pay less for when he goes to college if he is still in high school
so then the fincacial benefits spread through is family
so in the end it could help a lot of people

plus he prob learn how to do in class tomorrow
but if u dont' have homework u get 0
 
You think feeding him homework solutions makes him a better student and improves his odds of scoring higher in SATs (or whatever) ?
 
  • #10
"If someone is hungry, don't give him a fish : teach him to fish !"
who said that ?
 
  • #11
Probably Gandhi
 
  • #12
"If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will never work another day in his life!"
 
  • #13
HallsofIvy said:
"If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will never work another day in his life!"
Or:

If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish he will drink beer, tell lies and wear a stupid hat.
 
  • #14
Thanks you all for answering my "off-topic" question ! (although Galileo's version looks suspicous to me (^_^)
 
  • #15
humanino said:
...although Galileo's version looks suspicous to me...

You mean 'fishy' ?
 
  • #16
Sorry, I am not too sure about what fishy could mean ...
 

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