Mutually Exclusive Events

Events that cannot occur at the same time

If two events, A and B, are mutually exclusive, then the probability that either A or B occurs is the sum of their probabilities. How to write in symbols?

• P (A or B) = P(A) - P(B)

• P (A or B) = P(A) + P(B)

• P (A and B)

• P(A) + P(B)

Which of the following are mutually exclusive events when a card is drawn at random from a standard deck of 52 cards?

• A 4 or a heart

• A 4 or a jack

• A 4 or a club

• A jack or a face card

If a coin is tossed once, what is the probability that the coin shows either head or tail?

• −1

• 0

• 1/2

• 1

If a die is rolled once, what is the probability of obtaining an even number or a number greater than 4?

• 2/5

• 1/2

• 2/3

• 5/6

Determine if each pair of events are mutually exclusive: getting a grade of 90 in Math’ and getting ‘a grade of 90 in English

• Yes

• Maybe

• No

• None

If there is 40% chance that Jericho will buy a tablet, 70% chance that he will buy a cellphone, and 28% chance that he will buy a tablet and a cellphone, what is the probability that he will buy a tablet or a cellphone?

Other term for Mutually Exclusive Events

By answering Y for yes and N for No
Determine if each pair of events are mutually exclusive: drawing ‘a jack’ and ‘a club’ from a standard deck of cards

By answering Y for yes and N for No
Determine if each pair of events are mutually exclusive: picking ‘a blue ball’ and ‘a red ball’ in a basket