Math Problem Statement

One of two biased coins A and B is selected and flipped. Let A be the event that coin A is selected and B be the event that coin B is selected, with probabilities p(A) = 0.4 and p(B) = 0.6.

When coin A is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.3. When coin B is flipped, the probability of heads is 0.9.Let H be the event that the selected coin comes up heads. Complete the values X, Y, and Z in Bayes’ Theorem to determine the probability coin B was chosen if the flip came up heads.

bayes therom

Solution

To solve this problem using Bayes' Theorem, let's define the relevant events and fill in the values for the formula.

Problem Setup:

  • AA: Event that coin A is selected.
  • BB: Event that coin B is selected.
  • HH: Event that the selected coin comes up heads.

Given probabilities:

  • P(A)=0.4P(A) = 0.4 (probability of selecting coin A)
  • P(B)=0.6P(B) = 0.6 (probability of selecting coin B)
  • P(HA)=0.3P(H|A) = 0.3 (probability of heads given coin A is selected)
  • P(HB)=0.9P(H|B) = 0.9 (probability of heads given coin B is selected)

Goal:

We need to find the probability that coin B was chosen given that the result was heads, i.e., P(BH)P(B|H). Bayes' Theorem can be applied as follows:

P(BH)=P(HB)P(B)P(H)P(B|H) = \frac{P(H|B) \cdot P(B)}{P(H)}

Where:

  • P(HB)P(H|B): The probability of getting heads given coin B was selected (this is 0.9).
  • P(B)P(B): The probability of selecting coin B (this is 0.6).
  • P(H)P(H): The total probability of getting heads.

Now, P(H)P(H) (the total probability of getting heads) can be found using the Law of Total Probability:

P(H)=P(HA)P(A)+P(HB)P(B)P(H) = P(H|A) \cdot P(A) + P(H|B) \cdot P(B)

Substitute the known values:

P(H)=(0.30.4)+(0.90.6)P(H) = (0.3 \cdot 0.4) + (0.9 \cdot 0.6) P(H)=0.12+0.54=0.66P(H) = 0.12 + 0.54 = 0.66

Now apply Bayes' Theorem:

P(BH)=0.90.60.66P(B|H) = \frac{0.9 \cdot 0.6}{0.66} P(BH)=0.540.660.818P(B|H) = \frac{0.54}{0.66} \approx 0.818

Conclusion:

The probability that coin B was chosen given that the result was heads is approximately 0.818.


In terms of Bayes' Theorem, the values are:

P(BH)=P(HB)P(B)P(H)P(B|H) = \frac{P(H|B) \cdot P(B)}{P(H)}

  • X=P(HB)=0.9X = P(H|B) = 0.9
  • Y=P(B)=0.6Y = P(B) = 0.6
  • Z=P(H)=0.66Z = P(H) = 0.66

Would you like to discuss this further or go into more details?


Here are five related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How would the result change if the probabilities of selecting coins A and B were equal?
  2. What if the probability of heads for coin A was higher than for coin B?
  3. How can Bayes' Theorem be used in other real-world applications?
  4. What is the importance of the Law of Total Probability in this problem?
  5. How would the probability of tails change the analysis?

Tip: When applying Bayes' Theorem, ensure you carefully define the events and compute the total probability for better clarity.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Bayes' Theorem
Law of Total Probability

Formulas

Bayes' Theorem: P(B|H) = (P(H|B) * P(B)) / P(H)
Law of Total Probability: P(H) = P(H|A) * P(A) + P(H|B) * P(B)

Theorems

Bayes' Theorem
Law of Total Probability

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Level - Probability and Statistics