Q.Let P(A)=137, P(B)=139 and P(A∩B)=134. Then P(A′∣B) is equal to
(A) 136
(B) 134
(C) 94
(D) 95
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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). …
Concept: Conditional Probability — P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B).
Step 1: A′∩B means "not A but B". From the Venn diagram:
P(A′∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B).
Step 2: Substitute the given values:
P(A′∩B)=139−134=135.
Step 3: Apply the conditional formula: …
The key idea is to use the definition of conditional probability: P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B). Since A′∩B is just the part of B that is not in A, we have P(A′∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B). Substituting the given values gives 95, which corresponds to option (D).
We are asked for P(A′∣B) — the probability that A does not happen, given that B has happened. This is a classic conditional probability problem.
Why this approach works:
Conditional probability shrinks the sample space to the event we are conditioning on (here, B). Within that restricted space, we want the portion where A is false. That portion is exactly B minus the part where A and B both occur — i.e., B∖(A∩B). So the numerator becomes P(B)−P(A∩B).
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Recall the definition of conditional probability: For any two events X and Y with P(Y)>0,
P(X∣Y)=P(Y)P(X∩Y).
Here, X=A′ and Y=B, so
P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B).
- Find P(A′∩B): The event A′∩B means “B occurs but A does not.” This is exactly B minus the overlap A∩B. Since A∩B is a subset of B, we have
P(A′∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B).
- Substitute the given values: P(B)=139 and P(A∩B)=134. So
P(A′∩B)=139−134=135.
- Now compute the conditional probability: …
Method: Conditional probability of a complement, same condition
Use this for P(A′∣B) — the chance A does not occur given B.
Steps
Step 1: Express the numerator as the part of B outside A.
P(A′∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B).
Step 2: Divide by the condition's probability.
P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B)=P(B)P(B)−P(A∩B).
Step 3: Simplify (and cross-check). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Computing P(A′∩B) as 1−P(A∩B).
Why it's wrong: A′∩B is the part of B outside A, so it equals P(B)−P(A∩B). Correct approach: subtract the overlap from P(B), keeping everything inside B.
Mistake 2: Dividing by 1 instead of P(B). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 45 on this concept.
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that P(A)=31, P(B)=21 and P(A∩B)=61, then P(A′/B) is (A) 32 (B) 31 (C) 21 (D) 121
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use P(A′∣B)=1−P(A∣B) (equivalently P(B)P(B)−P(A∩B)), which gives 32.
Step 1 — The definition of conditional probability.
For P(B)>0,
P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B)
Conditioning on B means we restrict the sample space to B and ask what fraction of B lies outside A.
Step 2 — Split B into the part inside A and the part outside A.
The events A∩B and A′∩B are disjoint and their union is exactly B:
P(B)=P(A∩B)+P(A′∩B)
⇒P(A′∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B)=21−61=63−1=62=31
Step 3 — Divide by P(B).
P(A′∣B)=P(B)P(A′∩B)=2131=31×12=32
Step 4 — Cross-check with the complement rule. …
- KCET 2022Set C-41 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that P(A)=21, P(B)=31 and P(A∣B)=41, then P(A′∩B′) is (A) 3/16 (B) 1/12 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Get P(A∩B) from the conditional probability, use the addition rule for P(A∪B), then apply De Morgan: P(A′∩B′)=1−P(A∪B).
Step 1 — Recover the joint probability from the conditional.
Conditional probability is defined by P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B) — it re-scales the probability of A to the reduced sample space B. Rearranging gives the multiplication rule:
P(A∩B)=P(A∣B)P(B)=41×31=121.
Step 2 — Addition rule for the union.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)=21+31−121.
Taking LCM 12: …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that P(Aˉ)=0.3,P(B)=0.4,P(A∩Bˉ)=0.5, then find the value of P(B/A∪Bˉ) (A) 0.33 (B) 0.7 (C) 0.8 (D) 0.25
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem asks for a conditional probability P(B∣A∪Bˉ). Using the definition of conditional probability and the given probabilities, we compute P(B∩(A∪Bˉ)) and P(A∪Bˉ), then divide. The final value is 0.25, so the correct option is (D).
We are given:
- P(Aˉ)=0.3, so P(A)=1−0.3=0.7.
- P(B)=0.4.
- P(A∩Bˉ)=0.5.
We need P(B∣A∪Bˉ), which is the probability that B occurs given that A or Bˉ (or both) occurs.
Concept and intuition:
Conditional probability P(X∣Y)=P(Y)P(X∩Y). Here X=B and Y=A∪Bˉ. So we need the probability that both B and (A∪Bˉ) happen, divided by the probability that A∪Bˉ happens. The key is to simplify the intersection B∩(A∪Bˉ) using set algebra — it often collapses to something simpler.
-
Simplify the numerator P(B∩(A∪Bˉ))
Using the distributive law:
B∩(A∪Bˉ)=(B∩A)∪(B∩Bˉ)
But B∩Bˉ=∅, so this is just B∩A.
Hence P(B∩(A∪Bˉ))=P(A∩B).
-
Find P(A∩B)
We know P(A)=0.7 and P(A∩Bˉ)=0.5.
Since A=(A∩B)∪(A∩Bˉ) and these are disjoint,
P(A)=P(A∩B)+P(A∩Bˉ)
⇒0.7=P(A∩B)+0.5
⇒P(A∩B)=0.2.
-
Find the denominator P(A∪Bˉ)
Use the inclusion-exclusion principle: …
- KCET 2025Set A-11 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events such that A⊂B and P(B)=0, then which of the following is correct? (A) P(A∣B)=P(A)P(B) (B) P(A∣B)<P(A) (C) P(A∣B)≥P(A) (D) P(A)=P(B)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use A⊂B⇒A∩B=A, then note that dividing P(A) by P(B)≤1 cannot make it smaller.
Step 1 — Simplify the intersection.
If every element of A lies in B, then A∩B=A. Hence
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=P(B)P(A).
Step 2 — Compare with P(A).
Every probability satisfies 0<P(B)≤1 (we are told P(B)=0). Therefore P(B)1≥1, and multiplying the non-negative number P(A) by a factor ≥1 gives
P(A∣B)=P(A)⋅P(B)1≥P(A).
Equality holds exactly when P(B)=1 (or when P(A)=0).
Intuition: conditioning on B throws away all outcomes outside B — but none of A lies outside B. So A's share of the shrunken sample space can only grow.
Step 3 — Eliminate. …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.Let A and B be two events such that P(A/B)=21 and P(B/A)=31 and P(A∩B)=61 then, which one of the following is not true? (A) A and B are not independent (B) P(A∪B)=32 (C) P(A′∩B)=61 (D) A and B are independent
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(A)=21, P(B)=31, and P(A)P(B)=61=P(A∩B), so A,B ARE independent; the false statement is that they are not independent.
From P(A∩B)=P(A∣B)P(B):
61=21P(B)⟹P(B)=31
From P(A∩B)=P(B∣A)P(A):
61=31P(A)⟹P(A)=21
Independence test:
P(A)P(B)=21⋅31=61=P(A∩B)
So A and B are independent. Checking the other options:
P(A∪B)=21+31−61=32(B true) …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.P and Q are considering to apply for a job. The probability that P applies for the job is 41. The probability that P applies for the job given that Q applies for the job is 21, and the probability that Q applies for the job given that P applies for the job is 31. Then the probability that P does not apply for the job given that Q does not apply for the job is (A) 54 (B) 87 (C) 65 (D) 1211
›Reveal solutionSolution
We are given conditional probabilities and need to find P(P∣Q). Using the definitions of conditional probability and the law of total probability, we compute P(Q) and P(Q), then apply Bayes' theorem to get 54, which corresponds to option (A).
Concept and intuition:
This is a classic problem of working backwards from conditional probabilities to find a joint probability table. We know P(P), P(P∣Q), and P(Q∣P). From these, we can find P(P∩Q) in two ways, which lets us solve for P(Q). Then we can compute the desired conditional probability P(P∣Q) using the complement rule and the definition of conditional probability.
Step-by-step solution:
- Write down what is given. Let P = event that P applies, Q = event that Q applies. We have:
P(P)=41,P(P∣Q)=21,P(Q∣P)=31.
- Use the definition of conditional probability to express P(P∩Q) in two ways. From P(P∣Q)=P(Q)P(P∩Q), we get
P(P∩Q)=P(P∣Q)⋅P(Q)=21P(Q).
From P(Q∣P)=P(P)P(P∩Q), we get
P(P∩Q)=P(Q∣P)⋅P(P)=31⋅41=121.
- Equate the two expressions for P(P∩Q) to find P(Q).
21P(Q)=121⇒P(Q)=61.
- Find P(Q) and P(P∩Q).
P(Q)=1−P(Q)=1−61=65.
Also, P(P∩Q)=P(P)−P(P∩Q)=41−121=123−121=122=61.
- Find P(P∩Q). Since P∩Q is the complement of P∪Q, we can use:
P(P∩Q)=1−P(P∪Q).
First, P(P∪Q)=P(P)+P(Q)−P(P∩Q)=41+61−121. …
- KCET 2025Set A-11 markMCQQ.Meera visits only one of the two temples A and B in her locality. Probability that she visits temple A is 52. If she visits temple A, 31 is the probability that she meets her friend, whereas it is 72 if she visits temple B. Meera met her friend at one of the two temples. The probability that she met her at temple B is (A) 167 (B) 165 (C) 163 (D) 169
›Reveal solutionSolution
The friend has already been met (the effect); we want the probability of the cause (temple B) — that reversal of conditioning is exactly Bayes' theorem.
Step 1 — Name the events.
Let A = "Meera visits temple A", B = "Meera visits temple B", F = "she meets her friend".
She visits only one of the two temples, so A and B are mutually exclusive and exhaustive:
P(A)=52⟹P(B)=1−52=53.
Given: P(F∣A)=31, P(F∣B)=72.
Step 2 — Why Bayes.
We are told the outcome (F happened) and asked for the probability of a cause (B). Bayes' theorem inverts the conditioning:
P(B∣F)=P(A)P(F∣A)+P(B)P(F∣B)P(B)P(F∣B).
The denominator is P(F) by the law of total probability — the friend can be met on either branch.
Step 3 — Compute the two branch probabilities.
P(A∩F)=52×31=152,P(B∩F)=53×72=356.
Step 4 — Total probability of meeting the friend. …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.If for two events A and B,P(A−B)=51 and P(A)=53 then P(B/A)= (A) 32 (B) 21 (C) 53 (D) 52
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to interpret P(A−B) as P(A∩Bc) and use the definition of conditional probability. The result is P(B/A)=32, so option (A) is correct.
We are asked for P(B/A), the probability of B given A. The definition is
P(B/A)=P(A)P(A∩B).
We know P(A)=53, so we need P(A∩B). The given P(A−B)=51 is the key: A−B means “A and not B,” i.e., A∩Bc.
- Relate P(A−B) to P(A∩B) Since A is the union of the disjoint parts “A and B” and “A and not B,” we have
P(A)=P(A∩B)+P(A∩Bc).
Here P(A∩Bc)=P(A−B)=51 and P(A)=53.
- Solve for P(A∩B)
53=P(A∩B)+51⇒P(A∩B)=53−51=52.
- Apply the conditional probability formula P(B/A)=P(A)P(A∩B)=3/52/5=32. …
- KCET 2025Set A-11 markMCQQ.If A and B are two non-mutually exclusive events such that P(A∣B)=P(B∣A), then (A) A⊂B but A=B (B) A=B (C) A∩B=ϕ (D) P(A)=P(B)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write both conditional probabilities with the same numerator P(A∩B), cancel it (legal because the events are not mutually exclusive), and the denominators must be equal.
Step 1 — Definition of conditional probability.
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B),P(B∣A)=P(A)P(B∩A).
Note A∩B=B∩A, so the two fractions share the same numerator.
Step 2 — Impose the given condition.
P(B)P(A∩B)=P(A)P(A∩B).
Step 3 — Cancel — and see why we are allowed to.
The events are non-mutually-exclusive, i.e. A∩B=ϕ and P(A∩B)=0. (This hypothesis is exactly what makes the cancellation valid — if P(A∩B) were 0, both sides would be 0 for any P(A),P(B) and nothing would follow.) Dividing both sides by P(A∩B):
P(B)1=P(A)1⟹P(A)=P(B).
Step 4 — Why the other options are not forced. …
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.Given that A and B are two events such that P(B)=53, P(A/B)=21 and P(A∪B)=54, then P(A)= (A) 103 (B) 21 (C) 51 (D) 53
›Reveal solutionSolution
Turn the conditional probability into P(A∩B), then substitute into the addition theorem and solve for P(A).
Step 1 — Extract P(A∩B) from the conditional probability.
By definition,
P(A/B)=P(B)P(A∩B)(P(B)=0).
Rearranging (the multiplication theorem):
P(A∩B)=P(A/B)⋅P(B)=21×53=103.
This is the key move — the conditional probability is not directly usable in the union formula, but P(A∩B) is.
Step 2 — Apply the addition theorem.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B).
The intersection is subtracted because the elements common to A and B would otherwise be counted twice.
Step 3 — Substitute the known values.
54=P(A)+53−103.
Step 4 — Solve for P(A). …
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If P(B)=53P(A/B)=21 and P(A∪B)=54 then P(A∪B)′+P(A′∪B)=
(A) 54 (B) 21 (C) 1 (D) 51›Reveal solutionSolution
Step 5: sum = 1/5 + 4/5 = 1.
Concept: conditional probability, addition theorem, complements, De Morgan.
Given P(B) = 3/5, P(A|B) = 1/2, P(A U B) = 4/5.
Step 1: P(A ^ B) = P(A|B) P(B) = (1/2)(3/5) = 3/10.
Step 2: from P(A U B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A ^ B),
P(A) = 4/5 - 3/5 + 3/10 = 1/5 + 3/10 = 1/2.
Step 3: P((A U B)') = 1 - P(A U B) = 1 - 4/5 = 1/5. …
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.Events E1 and E2 form a partition of the sample space S. A is any event such that P(E1)=P(E2)=21, P(E2/A)=21 and P(A/E2)=32, then P(E1/A) is (A) 21 (B) 32 (C) 1 (D) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
A partition's posterior probabilities must add to 1, so P(E1∣A)=1−P(E2∣A)=1−21=21.
Step 1 — What "partition of the sample space" means.
E1 and E2 form a partition of S if they are mutually exclusive (E1∩E2=∅) and exhaustive (E1∪E2=S), with non-zero probabilities. So exactly one of them must occur.
Step 2 — Conditioning preserves the partition.
Conditioning on an event A (with P(A)>0) just renormalises probabilities inside A; it does not destroy the partition. Formally,
A=(A∩E1)∪(A∩E2),(A∩E1)∩(A∩E2)=∅
Dividing by P(A):
P(A)P(A∩E1)+P(A)P(A∩E2)=P(A)P(A)=1
which is precisely
P(E1∣A)+P(E2∣A)=1
The posterior probabilities of a partition must still sum to 1 — a fact worth remembering, since it turns many Bayes questions into a one-line subtraction.
Step 3 — Substitute the given value.
P(E1∣A)=1−P(E2∣A)=1−21=21 …
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