Quest mutually exclusive events?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of mutually exclusive events in probability, specifically addressing the relationship between events A and B, given their probabilities P(A) = 0.75 and P(B) = 0.65. Participants are exploring the implications of these probabilities on the nature of the events.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the addition formula for probabilities to argue against the mutual exclusivity of events A and B. Some participants question the understanding of "Proof by contradiction" and its application in this context. Others inquire about the implications of assuming A and B are mutually exclusive, specifically regarding the probabilities of P(A and B) and P(A or B).

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants engaging in clarifying concepts and questioning assumptions. There is an exploration of the proof by contradiction method, with some suggesting that the original poster has already followed the necessary steps to demonstrate the contradiction.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of probability theory, particularly regarding the definitions and implications of mutually exclusive events. The original poster's approach raises questions about the validity of their assumptions and the resulting calculations.

kingyof2thejring
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I've got a question here asking me to explain why events A and B cannot be mutually exclusive events.
P(A)=0.75
P(B)=0.65
And then to comment about P(AuB) and P(AuB)

I've started of by assuming that they are mutually exclusive
and used the addition formula
P(AuB) = P(A) + P(B)
to get an answer greater than 1 therefore cannot be probability function
but I haven't exactly proved that the events A and B are not mutually exclusive events.
Could someone please point me to the right direction.
Thanks in advance
 
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Do you know what a "Proof by contradiction" is?
 
If A and B were mutually exclusive, what would P(A and B) be?
What would P(A or B) be?
 
P(A and B) 0.9125
P(A or B) =1.4

Proof by contradiction
State the opposite of what you are trying to prove

Try to draw a conclusion that you know is false or that contradicts something that is true

If that is false, what you are trying to prove must be true. And so you have proved it.
 
So haven't you done all the steps of a proof by contradiction?

You stated the opposite of what you're trying to prove, and derived something known to be false!
 

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