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This module introduces the multiplication and addition rules used when calculating probabilities.

The multiplication rule

If A and B are two events defined on a sample space , then: P(A AND B) = P(B) P(A|B) .

This rule may also be written as : P(A|B)= P(A AND B) P(B)

(The probability of A given B equals the probability of A and B divided by the probability of B .)

If A and B are independent , then P(A|B) = P(A) . Then P(A AND B) = P(A|B) P(B) becomes P(A AND B) = P(A) P(B) .

The addition rule

If A and B are defined on a sample space, then: P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A AND B) .

If A and B are mutually exclusive , then P(A AND B) = 0 . Then P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A AND B) becomes P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) .

Klaus is trying to choose where to go on vacation. His two choices are: A = New Zealand and B = Alaska

  • Klaus can only afford one vacation. The probability that he chooses A is P(A) = 0.6 and the probability that he chooses B is P(B) = 0.35 .
  • P(A and B) = 0 because Klaus can only afford to take one vacation
  • Therefore, the probability that he chooses either New Zealand or Alaska is P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) = 0.6 + 0.35 = 0.95 . Note that the probability that he does not choose to go anywhere on vacation must be 0.05 .
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Carlos plays college soccer. He makes a goal 65% of the time he shoots. Carlos is going to attempt two goals in a row in the next game.

A = the event Carlos is successful on his first attempt. P(A) = 0.65 . B = the event Carlos is successful on his second attempt. P(B) = 0.65 . Carlos tends to shoot in streaks. The probability that he makes the second goal GIVEN that he made the first goal is 0.90.

What is the probability that he makes both goals?

The problem is asking you to find P(A AND B) = P(B AND A) . Since P(B|A) = 0.90 :

P(B AND A) = P(B|A) P(A)  =  0.90 * 0.65 = 0.585

Carlos makes the first and second goals with probability 0.585.

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What is the probability that Carlos makes either the first goal or the second goal?

The problem is asking you to find P(A OR B) .

P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A AND B) = 0.65 + 0.65 - 0.585 = 0.715

Carlos makes either the first goal or the second goal with probability 0.715.

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Are A and B independent?

No, they are not, because P(B AND A)  =  0.585 .

P(B)  ⋅  P(A)  =  (0.65)  ⋅  (0.65)  =  0.423
0.423  ≠  0.585  =  P(B AND A)

So, P(B AND A) is not equal to P(B) P(A) .

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Are A and B mutually exclusive?

No, they are not because P(A and B) = 0.585.

To be mutually exclusive, P(A AND B) must equal 0.

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A community swim team has 150 members. Seventy-five of the members are advanced swimmers. Forty-seven of the members are intermediate swimmers. The remainder are novice swimmers. Forty of the advanced swimmers practice 4 times a week. Thirty of the intermediate swimmers practice 4 times a week. Ten of the novice swimmers practice 4 times a week. Suppose one member of the swim team is randomly chosen. Answer the questions (Verify the answers):

What is the probability that the member is a novice swimmer?

28 150

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What is the probability that the member practices 4 times a week?

80 150

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What is the probability that the member is an advanced swimmer and practices 4 times a week?

40 150

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What is the probability that a member is an advanced swimmer and an intermediate swimmer? Are being an advanced swimmer and an intermediate swimmer mutually exclusive? Why or why not?

P(advanced AND intermediate)  =  0 , so these are mutually exclusive events. A swimmer cannot be an advanced swimmer and an intermediate swimmer at the same time.

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Are being a novice swimmer and practicing 4 times a week independent events? Why or why not?

No, these are not independent events.

P(novice AND practices 4 times per week) = 0.0667
P(novice) P(practices 4 times per week) = 0.0996
0.0667 0.0996
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Studies show that, if she lives to be 90, about 1 woman in 7 (approximately 14.3%) will develop breast cancer. Suppose that of those women who develop breast cancer, a test is negative 2% of the time. Also suppose that in the general population of women, the test for breast cancer is negative about 85% of the time. Let B = woman develops breast cancer and let N = tests negative. Suppose one woman is selected at random.

What is the probability that the woman develops breast cancer? What is the probability that woman tests negative?

P(B) = 0.143 ; P(N) = 0.85

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Given that the woman has breast cancer, what is the probability that she tests negative?

P(N|B) = 0.02

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What is the probability that the woman has breast cancer AND tests negative?

P(B AND N) = P(B) ⋅ P(N|B) = ( 0.143 )  ⋅  ( 0.02 ) = 0.0029

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What is the probability that the woman has breast cancer or tests negative?

P(B OR N) = P(B) + P(N) - P(B AND N) = 0.143 + 0.85 - 0.0029 = 0.9901

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Are having breast cancer and testing negative independent events?

No. P(N) = 0.85 ; P(N|B) = 0.02 . So, P(N|B) does not equal P(N)

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Are having breast cancer and testing negative mutually exclusive?

No. P(B AND N) = 0.0029 . For B and N to be mutually exclusive, P(B AND N) must be 0.

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Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
Eunice Reply
what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
Someone
definitely of physics
Haryormhidey Reply
how many start and codon
Esrael Reply
what is field
Felix Reply
physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
Collete
what is ogarnic chemistry
WISDOM Reply
determine the slope giving that 3y+ 2x-14=0
WISDOM
Another formula for Acceleration
Belty Reply
a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
Adah
pratica A on solution of hydro chloric acid,B is a solution containing 0.5000 mole ofsodium chlorid per dm³,put A in the burret and titrate 20.00 or 25.00cm³ portion of B using melting orange as the indicator. record the deside of your burret tabulate the burret reading and calculate the average volume of acid used?
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how do lnternal energy measures
Esrael
Two bodies attract each other electrically. Do they both have to be charged? Answer the same question if the bodies repel one another.
JALLAH Reply
No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
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Source:  OpenStax, Collaborative statistics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 03, 2012 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10522/1.40
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