How do you find the intersection of the complements of two neg. dep events?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the intersection of the complements of two negatively dependent events in probability theory. Participants are given probabilities for events A and B, as well as their intersection, and are attempting to determine the conditional probability of the complement of B given the complement of A.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the relationship between the complements of events and their probabilities, questioning the validity of multiplying complements and considering the use of set operations. There is discussion on whether the intersection of the complements can be expressed in terms of the union of the original events.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering insights into the notation and relationships between the events. There is a recognition of the need for clarity in notation and a focus on understanding the conditional probability formula. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of set operations and the definition of conditional probability.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of negative dependence between the events and the correct application of probability rules. There is an emphasis on the importance of distinguishing between set operations and numerical probabilities.

nontradstuden
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Probability ? How do you find the intersection of the complements of two negatively dependent events?

I'm given P(a), P(b), and P( A intersect B), but I need to find the conditional probability of 'the complement of B given the complement of A'. I don't know how to find it. I thought I only had to multiply the complements, but that obviously didn't work. Then I said maybe it's equal to the complement of the union of A and B: 1- ( A+B- A^B).

Is that the right way of doing it?

Thanks for your help.
 
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nontradstuden said:
Probability ? How do you find the intersection of the complements of two negatively dependent events?

I'm given P(a), P(b), and P( A intersect B), but I need to find the conditional probability of 'the complement of B given the complement of A'.

Do you mean the complement of A instead of "complement of A' "?
I don't know how to find it. I thought I only had to multiply the complements, but that obviously didn't work. Then I said maybe it's equal to the complement of the union of A and B: 1- ( A+B- A^B).

Is that the right way of doing it?

1 - (A+B-A^B) doesn't make any sense at all. You are mixing up numbers and arithmetic operations with with sets and and set operations. You might start with the formula for conditional probability:$$P( B'| A') =\ ?$$
 
@LCKurtz Thanks for responding! Yes, I know the formula.

P (complement of B given complement of A) =

[ (complement of A) Intersection (complement of B)] / (complement of A).

I'm asking how to find the top part.

since the events are negatively dependent, I can't just say (complement of A) * (complement of B), right?
Ive worked it out these two ways (for the numerator):(complement of A) intersect ( complement of B) = 1 - A union B

or do I say

(complement of A) intersect (complement of B) = (B - A intersect B) * (A- A intersect B).

I think it's the first one because the area outside the circles is supposed to be (complement of a) ^ (complement of b) = 1- (A+B-A^B)... right or wrong? lol
 
Last edited:
nontradstuden said:
@LCKurtz


Thanks for responding! Yes, I know the formula.

P (complement of B given complement of A) =

[ (complement of A) Intersection (complement of B)] / (complement of A).
You are still being sloppy with your notation. The left side is a probability, which is a number, and the right side is a set. They can't be equal even if I know what you mean.
I'm asking how to find the top part.

since the events are negatively dependent, I can't just say (complement of A) * (complement of B), right?
That's right, you can't.
Ive worked it out these two ways (for the numerator)

(complement of A) intersect ( complement of B) = 1 - A union B
They can't possibly be equal with sets mixed up with numbers. You are still mixing up sets with their probabilities.
or do I say

(complement of A) intersect (complement of B) = (B - A intersect B) * (A- A intersect B).

I think it's the first one because the area outside the circles is supposed to be (complement of a) ^ (complement of b) = 1- (A+B-A^B)... right or wrong? lol

I know you are thinking to get the probability in the numerator you want to take 1 minus the probability of something. You will never get it right until you clear up your notation. You can't add and subtract numbers with sets. You add and subtract numbers and probabilities and you union and complement and intersect sets. Don't mix them. Try again.
 
nontradstuden said:
Probability ? How do you find the intersection of the complements of two negatively dependent events?

I'm given P(a), P(b), and P( A intersect B), but I need to find the conditional probability of 'the complement of B given the complement of A'. I don't know how to find it. I thought I only had to multiply the complements, but that obviously didn't work. Then I said maybe it's equal to the complement of the union of A and B: 1- ( A+B- A^B).

Is that the right way of doing it?

Thanks for your help.

Using an "overbar" to denote the complement of something, you say you want
[tex]P(\bar{B} | \bar{A}).[/tex]
Use the definition of conditional probability:
[tex]P(\bar{B} | \bar{A}) = \frac{P(\bar{B} \cap \bar{A})}{P(\bar{B})}.[/tex]
If you know [itex]P(A), P(B) \mbox{ and } P(A \cap B)[/itex], can you see how to get [itex]P(\bar{B})[/itex] and [itex]P(\bar{B} \cap \bar{A})[/itex]? In particular, do you know who to relate
[tex]\bar{B} \cap \bar{A}[/tex] to [itex]A,\: B \mbox{ and } A \cup B \mbox{ or } A \cap B[/itex]?

RGV
 
@LCKurtz

@Ray Vickson...

Thanks for your replies! I'm reworking the problem again and I understand about my lack of notation.
 

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