Probability question on school classes

Saladsamurai
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Homework Statement



In a high-school graduating class of 100 students, 54 studied math, 69 studied history, and 35 studied both math and history. If 1 of the students is selected at random, find the probability that

(a) the student took math or history;
(b) the student did not take either of these subjects;
(c) the student took history but not math.

Homework Equations



P = n/N

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok. I am thinking that I actually need to figure out how many students took math only and history only (pretty sure this is just algebra).

So I know that there are 54 math students; this must include those who studied both. Thus, the number of students who studied *math only* is 54 - 35 = 19.
Similarly, those who took History only 69 - 35 = 34.

So for (a) P(M U H) = (19 + 34) / 100 = 53/100 ... but this is wrong. Book says 22/25. So I am off to a bad start. What am I screwing up here?
 
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"or" is an inclusive word, so you also need to include the 35 who took both math and history
 
I guess an alternative approach to this would be

P(M\cup H) = P(M) + P(H) - P(M\cap H)

where M is the math set, H is the History set, etc.​

Just curious as to why my first attempt fails?

EDIT:

gabbagabbahey said:
"or" is an inclusive word, so you also need to include the 35 who took both math and history

I see. I was wondering about that and had somehow convinced myself that it was exclusive. In general, is "or" inclusive in probability? How about math in general?
 
Or is inclusive in math, probability and computer science...The only instance where "or" is exclusive , that comes to mind, is in common everyday conversational usage.
 
gabbagabbahey said:
Or is inclusive in math, probability and computer science...The only instance where "or" is exclusive , that comes to mind, is in common everyday conversational usage.

Hence why my waitress never says, "that comes with soup or salad or both." :smile:
 
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