A and B are disjoint and both have positive probability. Can they be independent?
- The conditioning event must have positive probability; a total-probability partition is exhaustive and disjoint.
Skills and prerequisite lessons
Working and explanation
BUILD THE REASONING
Hint 1
Hint 2
Worked solution
Express the event with a conditional probability or a disjoint partition.
Apply the stated relation and retain its conditions.
Disjoint positive-probability events are dependent.
The requested relation or conclusion is shown below.
Checks and common pitfalls: Disjoint positive-probability events are dependent.
Reasoning checklist · self / teacher assessment
- State a valid definition or model and its assumptions.
- Show the intermediate mathematical relations, not only the final claim.
- Check exclusions, units or the interpretation of the result.
Think first. Reveal a hint when the class is ready.