Probability: mutually exclusive vs. disjoint events

In summary, disjoint events in probability refer to events that have no intersection, making them mutually exclusive. If two events are disjoint, they cannot be independent because there is no way for them to both occur at the same time. Similarly, if two events are independent, they cannot be mutually exclusive because the probability of their intersection is equal to the product of their individual probabilities. For example, throwing two dice is an example of independent events, while throwing a die and getting an odd number and a prime number is an example of dependent events.
  • #1
VonWeber
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Homework Statement



Are all disjoint events also mutually exclusive? And if events are independant does this also mean that they cannot be disjoint?

Homework Equations



no relevant equations

The Attempt at a Solution



In probability disjoint events are events that have no intersection. If the events have no intersection I would think that they would have to be mutually exclusive and could not be independant either because there is no way for them to both occur at the same time.
 
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  • #2
mutually exclusive and disjoint are the same as you say the intersection is the empty set.

Two events are independant if and only if P(A intersect B)=P(A).P(B) so again you are right mutually exclusive events cannot be independant and vice versa.

Yo cannot throw a dice and get an odd number and an even number at the same time - mutually exclusive

You can throw two dice and the probability of getting two sixes is 1/36 which is the probability of getting a six on one x probability of getting a six on the other - two dice are independant of each other

P(6 & 6) =P(6).P(6)



Throwing one die
Probability of throwing an odd prime number {3,5} two out of six or 1/3

P(odd number and a prime number) =1/3
p(odd number) =1/2
p(prime number) =1/2

P(odd number and a prime number) not= p(odd number).P(prime number) so not independant events

A number being prime is dependant on it being odd

Hope this helps
 

1. What is the difference between mutually exclusive and disjoint events?

Mutually exclusive events are events that cannot occur at the same time, while disjoint events are events that have no common outcomes.

2. How do you calculate the probability of mutually exclusive events?

The probability of mutually exclusive events can be calculated by adding the individual probabilities of each event.

3. Can disjoint events be mutually exclusive?

Yes, disjoint events can also be mutually exclusive. If there are no common outcomes between two events, they are both mutually exclusive and disjoint.

4. What are some examples of mutually exclusive events?

Some examples of mutually exclusive events include flipping a coin and getting heads or tails, rolling a die and getting an odd or even number, and choosing a card from a deck and getting a heart or a spade.

5. How do you know if events are mutually exclusive or disjoint?

If two events cannot occur at the same time, they are considered mutually exclusive. If two events have no common outcomes, they are considered disjoint.

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