Q.A and B are two events such that P(A)=0. Find P(B∣A), if
Concept understanding — Conditional Probability
Conditional Probability
Roll a die and ask "what is the chance of an even number?" — that is 3/6. But suppose someone tells you the result is greater than 3. Now you are no longer looking at all six faces, only at {4,5,6}, and two of those (4 and 6) are even, so the probability becomes 2/3. That change — from the probability of A to the probability of A given that B has already occurred — is conditional probability.
The Idea: Shrink the Sample Space
Conditioning on B throws away every outcome where B is false and treats B as the new "whole world." You measure A only against what is still possible.
Think of filtering a table of data: unconditional probability uses every row; conditional probability keeps only the rows where the condition is true.
The Definition
For events A and B with P(B)>0,
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B).
We divide by P(B) to rescale so that B itself has probability 1; the surviving part of A is the overlap A∩B. Checking the die: P(A∩B)=P({4,6})=62 and P(B)=63, so P(A∣B)=3/62/6=32, matching the intuition.
Rearranging gives the multiplication rule P(A∩B)=P(A∣B)P(B), which is usually the easier way to compute a joint probability when a problem says "given that."
Two Cautions
- P(A∣B) and P(B∣A) are generally not equal; swapping them is the classic mistake. They are linked by Bayes' theorem, P(A∣B)=P(B)P(B∣A)P(A).
- If P(A∣B)=P(A), then knowing B tells you nothing about A — the events are independent. That is a special case, not the general rule.
Conditional probability is the foundation of the multiplication theorem, independence, and Bayes' theorem — every "given that" question in this chapter rests on it.
Conditional Probability opens the CBSE Class 12 Probability chapter and is foundational for everything that follows in that unit, including Bayes' theorem and the multiplication rule — making "conditional probability formula class 12 with examples" one of the most searched topics in Class 12 Mathematics. It is equally important for JEE Main and CUET, where conditional probability questions are set almost every year.
Concept: Conditional Probability — P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B).
Step 1: Recall the definition:
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B)
Step 2: For (i), A⊆B implies A∩B=A.
Thus P(A∩B)=P(A), so
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A)=1
Step 3: For (ii), A∩B=ϕ implies P(A∩B)=0.
Thus
P(B∣A)=P(A)0=0
- P(B∣A)=1;
- P(B∣A)=0.
Conditional probability P(B∣A) is defined as P(A)P(A∩B). When A⊆B, A∩B=A, so P(B∣A)=1. When A∩B=ϕ, P(A∩B)=0, so P(B∣A)=0.
The core idea here is conditional probability — the probability that event B occurs, given that we already know event A has occurred. The formula is:
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B)
The denominator P(A) is non-zero (given), so the fraction is well-defined. The numerator is the probability that both A and B happen. The key is to figure out what A∩B looks like in each case.
Let’s go case by case.
Case (i): A is a subset of B
If A⊆B, then every outcome in A is also in B. That means the overlap A∩B is simply A itself — there is no part of A that lies outside B.
So:
A∩B=A
Plug this into the formula:
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B)=P(A)P(A)=1
This makes intuitive sense: if A is inside B, then whenever A happens, B must also happen. So the conditional probability is certain — 1.
Case (ii): A∩B=ϕ
Here, A and B are disjoint — they have no outcomes in common. So the intersection is empty:
A∩B=ϕ⇒P(A∩B)=0
Substitute:
P(B∣A)=P(A)0=0
A common mistake is to think that if A and B are disjoint, then P(B∣A) is undefined or something else. But the formula is clear: the numerator is zero, so the result is zero. It means: if A happens, B cannot happen — they are mutually exclusive.
For (i) P(B∣A)=1; for (ii) P(B∣A)=0.
Method: Evaluating a conditional probability from the set relationship
For questions that give you how two events sit relative to each other (subset, disjoint, overlapping) rather than numbers, work straight from the definition and reduce the intersection using that relation.
Steps
Step 1: Start from the definition.
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B),P(A)=0.
Everything hinges on identifying A∩B.
Step 2: Replace A∩B using the given relationship.
Translate the words into what the overlap must be:
- If A⊆B, every outcome of A lies in B, so A∩B=A.
- If A∩B=∅ (disjoint), the overlap is empty, so P(A∩B)=0.
Step 3: Substitute and simplify.
A⊆B gives P(A)P(A)=1; disjoint gives P(A)0=0.
The reasoning, not arithmetic, is the point: P(B∣A) measures how much of A also lies in B — total overlap gives 1, no overlap gives 0.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking P(B∣A) is undefined when A and B are disjoint.
Why it's wrong: the formula is perfectly defined since P(A)=0; the numerator P(A∩B) is simply 0. Correct approach: P(B∣A)=P(A)0=0.
Mistake 2: Getting the subset case backwards.
Why it's wrong: when A⊆B, whenever A occurs B must occur, so the probability is 1, not 0. Correct approach: A∩B=A, giving P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A)=1.
Showing the 12 most recent of 24 on this concept.
- GUJCET 2021Set 151 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that P(A)=0 and P(AB)=1, then (A) B⊂A (B) B=∅ (C) A=∅ (D) A⊂B
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR] Melatonin is a pineal hormone controlling circadian rhythm, not the menstrual cycle. Estrogen, progesterone and relaxin are all reproductive hormones linked to the ovarian cycle.
Concept
In NCERT/CBSE-aligned human reproduction, the menstrual cycle is regulated by pituitary hormones (FSH, LH) and ovarian hormones. Estrogen (secreted by the growing follicle) causes the proliferative phase; progesterone (from the corpus luteum) maintains the secretory endometrium; and relaxin, also a corpus-luteum/reproductive hormone, prepares reproductive tissues. Melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland, governs the day–night biological clock and is not a menstrual-cycle hormone.
Solution
Evaluate each option:
- Progesterone — corpus luteum hormone, central to the cycle. Associated.
- Estrogen — follicular hormone, central to the cycle. Associated.
- Relaxin — a reproductive hormone of the ovary/corpus luteum. Associated.
- Melatonin — pineal hormone for circadian rhythm; not part of the menstrual cycle.
The hormone NOT associated with the menstrual cycle is melatonin.
[!ANSWER] (A) Melatonin
- GUJCET 2024Set 131 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that P(B)=0 and P(A∣B)=1, then __________. (A) B=ϕ (B) B⊂A (C) A=ϕ (D) A⊂B
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(A∣B)=1 forces P(A∩B)=P(B), meaning B⊂A.
Concept. By definition P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B).
Steps. Given P(A∣B)=1 and P(B)=0,
P(B)P(A∩B)=1⇒P(A∩B)=P(B).
The intersection carrying the whole probability of B means every outcome of B lies in A, i.e. B⊂A.
✓Final answer(B) B⊂A
ANSWER: (B)
- GUJCET 2020Set 071 markMCQQ.If A and B are any two events such that P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)=P(A) then ________. (A) P(AB)=1 (B) P(BA)=0 (C) P(AB)=0 (D) P(BA)=1
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)=P(A) forces P(A∩B)=P(B), meaning B is contained in A, so P(A/B)=1.
Concept. Rearrange the given equation: P(B)−P(A∩B)=0⇒P(A∩B)=P(B).
Step. Conditional probability: P(A/B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=P(B)P(B)=1.
Meanwhile P(B/A)=P(A)P(A∩B)=P(A)P(B), which need not be 1. So only option (D) is forced.
✓Final answer(D) P(A/B)=1
ANSWER: (D)
- GUJCET 2026Set x1 markMCQQ.If A and B are any two events such that P(A)+P(B)−P(A and B)=P(A), then ______ (A) P(B∣A′)=1 (B) P(B∣A)=0 (C) P(A∣B)=1 (D) P(A∣B)=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the given relation to find P(A∩B)=P(B), i.e. B⊆A effectively.
Given P(A)+P(B)−P(A and B)=P(A), which reduces to:
P(B)−P(A∩B)=0⇒P(A∩B)=P(B).
Therefore:
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=P(B)P(B)=1.
✓Final answerP(A∣B)=1
ANSWER: (C)
- GUJCET 2021Set 151 markMCQQ.If P(A)=116, P(B)=115 and P(A∪B)=117, then P(BA)= (A) 54 (B) 32 (C) 114 (D) 112
›Reveal solutionSolution
Get P(A and B) from inclusion-exclusion, then divide by P(B).
Concept. P(A∩B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∪B) and P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B).
Solution. P(A∩B)=116+115−117=114. Then P(A∣B)=5/114/11=54.
✓Final answer(A) 54
ANSWER: (A)
- GUJCET 2025Set 031 markMCQQ.Let A and B be two events such that P(A)=83, P(B)=85 and P(A∪B)=43. Then P(A′∣B)−P(A∣B)= _____. (A) 51 (B) 53 (C) 52 (D) 54
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(A∩B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∪B), then use conditional probabilities on B.
P(A∩B)=83+85−43=1−43=41.
P(A∣B)=5/81/4=52,P(A′∣B)=1−52=53.
P(A′∣B)−P(A∣B)=53−52=51.
✓Final answer(A) 51
ANSWER: (A)
- GUJCET 2019Set 171 markMCQQ.If 6P(A)=8P(B)=14P(A∩B)=1, then P(BA′)= (A) 74 (B) 53 (C) 73 (D) 52
›Reveal solutionSolution
With P(A)=61,P(B)=81,P(A∩B)=141: P(A′∣B)=1−P(B)P(A∩B)=73.
Concept: From 6P(A)=8P(B)=14P(A∩B)=1: P(B)=81, P(A∩B)=141.
P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B)=1−P(B)P(A∩B)=1−1/81/14=1−148=73
✓Final answer(C) 73
ANSWER: (C)
- GUJCET 2026Set x1 markMCQQ.Let A and B be two events such that P(A)=115, P(B)=112 and P(A∪B)=113, then P(A′∣B′)= ______ (A) 98 (B) 53 (C) 21 (D) 92
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR] P(A′∣B′)=1−P(B)1−P(A∪B)=98.
Concept
By De Morgan's law A′∩B′=(A∪B)′, so P(A′∩B′)=1−P(A∪B). Then the conditional probability is P(A′∣B′)=P(B′)P(A′∩B′) with P(B′)=1−P(B).
Solution
P(A′∩B′)=1−P(A∪B)=1−113=118.
P(B′)=1−P(B)=1−112=119.
P(A′∣B′)=9/118/11=98.
[!ANSWER] (A) 98
- GUJCET 2022Set 081 markMCQQ.Probability that A speaks truth is 54. A coin is tossed. A reports that a head appears. The probability that actually there was head is ______. (A) 52 (B) 54 (C) 51 (D) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
A truthful reporter (p = 4/5) on a fair coin makes the reported head almost as reliable as their honesty.
Concept. Bayes' theorem: P(H∣R)=P(R∣H)P(H)+P(R∣T)P(T)P(R∣H)P(H).
Solution. P(H)=P(T)=21. A reports head truthfully with prob 54 (if head) and lies with prob 51 (if tail).
P(H∣R)=21⋅54+21⋅5121⋅54=52+10152=5/104/10=54.
✓Final answer(B) 54
ANSWER: (B)
- GUJCET 2025Set 031 markMCQQ.A man is known to speak truth 4 out of 5 times. He throws a die and reports that it is a six. The probability that actually there was a six is (A) 95 (B) 94 (C) 355 (D) 354
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(six∣reports six)=P(6)P(T)+P(not 6)P(lie)P(6)P(T).
Let P(6)=61, P(not 6)=65, truth =54, lie =51.
P=61⋅54+65⋅5161⋅54=4/30+5/304/30=94.
✓Final answer(B) 94
ANSWER: (B)
- GUJCET 2026Set x1 markMCQQ.Three cards are drawn successively, without replacement from a pack of 52 well shuffled cards. The probability that first two cards are kings and the third card drawn is an ace is ______ (A) 1352001 (B) 55252 (C) 55253 (D) 1352003
›Reveal solutionSolution
Multiply the successive conditional probabilities for drawing without replacement.
First card king: 524. Second card king (3 kings left of 51): 513. Third card ace (4 aces still present of 50): 504.
P=524⋅513⋅504=13260048=55252.
✓Final answerP=55252
ANSWER: (B)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If P(A/B)>P(A), then which of the following is true?(a) P(B∣A)<P(B)(b) P(A∩B)<P(A)⋅P(B)(c) P(B∣A)>P(B)(d) P(B∣A)=P(B)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert the given inequality into one about the joint probability, then flip it around to get P(B∣A).
P(A∣B)>P(A)⇒P(B)P(A∩B)>P(A)⇒P(A∩B)>P(A)P(B).
Dividing by P(A): P(A)P(A∩B)>P(B), i.e. P(B∣A)>P(B).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) P(B∣A)>P(B).
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