Does Conditional Probability Increase with Dependence?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of conditional probability in relation to dependence between events A and B. Participants explore whether certain conditions about the probabilities lead to specific conclusions regarding the relationships between P(A|B) and P(B|A), focusing on theoretical aspects of probability.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if P(A|B) > P(A), then it follows that P(B|A) > P(B), using the relationship between conditional probabilities.
  • Another participant questions whether the condition P(A|B) > 2/3 implies P(A|B) ≥ 1/2, indicating uncertainty about the implications of the inequalities.
  • A later reply applies Bayes' rule to argue that P(B|A) must be greater than P(B), reinforcing the initial claim about the first answer being correct.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the given probabilities, with some asserting that the first answer is correct while others question the validity of the conclusions drawn from the inequalities. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the certainty of the implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of the inequalities or the conditions under which the statements hold true, leaving some assumptions and dependencies unaddressed.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

Suppose that for the events $A,B$ of an experiment it holds that $P(A|B)>P(A)$ ( $P(A)=P(B)=\frac{2}{3}$ ) then what of the following holds?

  1. $P(B|A)>P(B)$ ( $P(A|B)\geq \frac{1}{2}$ )
  2. $P(B|A)>P(B)$ ( $P(A|B)\leq \frac{1}{3}$ )
  3. $P(B|A)<P(B)$ ( $P(A|B)\geq \frac{1}{3}$ )
  4. $P(B|A)<P(B)$ ( $P(A|B)\geq \frac{1}{6}$ )
I have done the following:

$P(A|B)=\frac{P(BA)}{P(B)}$ and since $P(A|B)>P(A) \Rightarrow \frac{P(BA)}{P(B)}>P(A) \Rightarrow P(BA)>P(B)P(A)$.

Then $P(B|A)=\frac{P(AB)}{P(A)}>\frac{P(B)P(A)}{P(A)}=P(B)$, right? (Wondering)

When $P(A)=P(B)=\frac{2}{3}$, then $P(A|B)>P(A)\Rightarrow P(A|B)>\frac{2}{3}$.

How can we continue?
 
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Hey mathmari! (Smile)

Don't we already have enough information to figure out which answers are true or false? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Hey mathmari! (Smile)

Don't we already have enough information to figure out which answers are true or false? (Wondering)

(Thinking)

The first one is correct, or not? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
(Thinking)

The first one is correct, or not? (Wondering)

Hmm... let's see...

We found that $P(A|B) > \frac 23$.
Does that imply that $P(A|B) \ge \frac 12$ or not? (Wondering)
 
In addition to I Like Serena's post, making use of Bayes rule:
$$P(B \ | \ A) = \frac{P(A \ | \ B) P(B)}{P(A)} = P(A \ | \ B) > P(A) = P(B).$$
Hence, first answer is indeed correct.
 

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