Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
In the context of basic probability, if two events A and B are mutually exclusive, what is the probability that either A or B occurs?
A
P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B)
B
P(A) × P(B)
C
P(A) / P(B)
D
P(A) + P(B)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of mutually exclusive events: Two events A and B are mutually exclusive if they cannot occur at the same time. This means P(A and B) = 0.
Recall the formula for the probability of either A or B occurring (union of A and B): P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B).
Substitute the value of P(A and B) = 0 into the formula for mutually exclusive events: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - 0.
Simplify the formula: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B). This is the probability of either A or B occurring when the events are mutually exclusive.
Conclude that the correct answer is P(A) + P(B), as this represents the probability of either event occurring without overlap.