Math Problem Statement

Let A and B be any two events with probability P(A)=P(B)=0.9 and AB denotes the intersection of A and B. If P(A'UB')=0.2, then P(AB' U A'B)=

Solution

We are given the following information:

  • P(A)=0.9P(A) = 0.9
  • P(B)=0.9P(B) = 0.9
  • P(AB)=0.2P(A' \cup B') = 0.2

We are tasked to find P(ABAB)P(AB' \cup A'B), which represents the probability that either AA occurs but BB does not, or BB occurs but AA does not. This is equivalent to P(AΔB)P(A \Delta B) (the symmetric difference of AA and BB).

Step 1: Relation between the complements and union

We know that: P(AB)=1P(AB)P(A' \cup B') = 1 - P(A \cap B) Thus: P(AB)=1P(AB)=10.2=0.8P(A \cap B) = 1 - P(A' \cup B') = 1 - 0.2 = 0.8

Step 2: Decompose the symmetric difference

The event ABABAB' \cup A'B corresponds to the symmetric difference between AA and BB. The formula for the symmetric difference is: P(AΔB)=P(A)+P(B)2P(AB)P(A \Delta B) = P(A) + P(B) - 2P(A \cap B) Substitute the known values: P(AΔB)=0.9+0.92×0.8=1.81.6=0.2P(A \Delta B) = 0.9 + 0.9 - 2 \times 0.8 = 1.8 - 1.6 = 0.2

Thus, the probability P(ABAB)=0.2P(AB' \cup A'B) = 0.2.

Final Answer:

P(ABAB)=0.2P(AB' \cup A'B) = 0.2

Do you want more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to explore further:

  1. How do you calculate the union of two independent events?
  2. What is the meaning of the symmetric difference in probability theory?
  3. How does P(AB)P(A \cup B) relate to the individual probabilities of AA and BB?
  4. What happens if AA and BB are mutually exclusive events?
  5. How does Bayes' theorem relate to conditional probabilities of intersections?

Tip: When solving problems involving multiple events, Venn diagrams can be a helpful visual tool to understand the relationships between intersections and unions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Set Theory
Symmetric Difference

Formulas

P(A' U B') = 1 - P(A ∩ B)
P(A ∆ B) = P(A) + P(B) - 2P(A ∩ B)

Theorems

Symmetric Difference Theorem in Probability

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 or College Level