Q.If P(A)=116, P(B)=115 and P(A∪B)=117, find
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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 — the probability of one event given that another has occurred.
Step 1 – Find P(A∩B)
Using the addition theorem:
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
Substitute:
117=116+115−P(A∩B)
So:
P(A∩B)=116+115−117=114
Step 2 – Find P(A∣B)
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=5/114/11=54 …
Using the addition rule P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B), we find P(A∩B)=114. Then conditional probabilities follow directly: P(A∣B)=54 and P(B∣A)=32.
The core idea here is conditional probability — the chance of one event happening given that another has already occurred. The formula is simple:
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)
But to use it, we first need P(A∩B), the probability that both A and B occur. That’s where the addition rule comes in: it connects the union, the individual probabilities, and the intersection.
Let’s walk through it.
-
Find P(A∩B) using the addition rule
The addition rule for any two events is:
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
Plug in the given values:
117=116+115−P(A∩B)
Simplify the right side:
117=1111−P(A∩B)
So:
117=1−P(A∩B)
Rearranging:
P(A∩B)=1−117=114
A common mistake is to forget that P(A)+P(B) can exceed 1 — that’s fine, because the overlap is counted twice. The subtraction corrects for that. Here, 6/11+5/11=1, so the union being 7/11 tells us the overlap is exactly 4/11.
-
Find P(A∣B)
Using the definition:
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=5/114/11=54 …
Method: From the union back to the intersection, then both conditionals
Use this when P(A), P(B) and the union P(A∪B) are known and you must recover the intersection and the conditional probabilities.
Steps
Step 1: Rearrange the addition rule for the intersection
The addition rule solved for the overlap gives
P(A∩B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∪B).
This is the key quantity every conditional below depends on.
Step 2: Form each conditional by dividing
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B),P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Swapping P(A∣B) and P(B∣A) — using the same denominator for both.
Why it's wrong: they divide by different events: P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=5/114/11=54, but P(B∣A)=P(A)P(A∩B)=6/114/11=32. They are equal only if P(A)=P(B).
Mistake 2: Sign error when extracting P(A∩B) from the addition rule. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 30 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.If P(A)=83, P(A∣B)=P(B∣A)=53, then P(A∩B)+P(B)= (A) 4021 (B) 132 (C) 143 (D) 125
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use the given conditional probabilities to set up equations for P(A∩B) and P(B), then solve and sum them. The result is 4021, which corresponds to option (A).
We are told:
- P(A)=83
- P(A∣B)=53
- P(B∣A)=53
We need P(A∩B)+P(B).
Concept and intuition
Conditional probabilities like P(A∣B) relate the probability of the complement of A given B to the joint probability P(A∩B). Since P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B), we can write an equation linking P(B) and P(A∩B). Similarly, P(B∣A) gives a relation between P(A) and P(A∩B). This lets us solve for the unknowns.
Step-by-step solution
- Use P(B∣A) to find P(A∩B) By definition:
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(B∩A)=53
Since P(B∩A)=P(A)−P(A∩B), we have:
P(A)P(A)−P(A∩B)=53
Substitute P(A)=83:
8383−P(A∩B)=53
Multiply both sides by 83:
83−P(A∩B)=53⋅83=409
So:
P(A∩B)=83−409=4015−409=406=203
- Use P(A∣B) to find P(B) By definition:
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=53
Now P(A∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B). Substitute P(A∩B)=203:
P(B)P(B)−203=53
Multiply both sides by P(B): …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.A, B1, B2, B3 are the events in a random experiment. If P(B1)=0.25, P(B2)=0.30, P(B3)=0.45, P(B1A)=0.05, P(B2A)=0.04, P(B3A)=0.03, then P(AB2)= (A) 196 (B) 198 (C) 1912 (D) 195
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a classic Bayes’ theorem problem: we are given prior probabilities for three mutually exclusive events and the conditional probabilities of A given each, and we need the posterior probability of B2 given A. The answer is 196, which corresponds to option (A).
We start with the concept: Bayes’ theorem lets us “reverse” conditional probabilities. Here, we know P(A∣Bi) and want P(B2∣A). The key is that the Bi form a partition of the sample space (they are the only possible “causes” of A), so we can compute P(A) using the law of total probability, then apply Bayes’ formula.
-
Identify the given data
- P(B1)=0.25, P(B2)=0.30, P(B3)=0.45
- P(A∣B1)=0.05, P(A∣B2)=0.04, P(A∣B3)=0.03 The events B1,B2,B3 are mutually exclusive and exhaustive (their probabilities sum to 1), so they form a partition.
-
Compute the total probability of A
By the law of total probability:
P(A)=P(B1)P(A∣B1)+P(B2)P(A∣B2)+P(B3)P(A∣B3)
Substitute:
P(A)=(0.25)(0.05)+(0.30)(0.04)+(0.45)(0.03)
Calculate each term:
- 0.25×0.05=0.0125
- 0.30×0.04=0.0120
- 0.45×0.03=0.0135 Sum:
P(A)=0.0125+0.0120+0.0135=0.0380
- Apply Bayes’ theorem for P(B2∣A) Bayes’ theorem states:
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-FN1 markMCQQ.If P(BA)=103, P(AB)=54 and P(A∪B)=KP(B), then K1= (A) 4940 (B) 4340 (C) 101100 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to use the definitions of conditional probability to relate P(A∩B) to P(A) and P(B), then express P(A∪B) in terms of P(B) alone. The result is K1=4340.
We are given two conditional probabilities and a relation involving the union. The goal is to find K1, where P(A∪B)=KP(B). This is a problem about linking conditional probabilities to the basic probability of events, so we start by writing down what each conditional means.
Recall: P(A/B)=P(B)P(A∩B) and P(B/A)=P(A)P(A∩B). These are not symmetric — each gives a different ratio. Our job is to use them to find P(A) and P(A∩B) in terms of P(B), then compute P(A∪B).
- From P(A/B) we get P(A∩B) in terms of P(B).
P(A/B)=103⇒P(B)P(A∩B)=103
So
P(A∩B)=103P(B).
- From P(B/A) we get P(A) in terms of P(A∩B).
P(B/A)=54⇒P(A)P(A∩B)=54
Hence
P(A)=45P(A∩B).
- Substitute the expression for P(A∩B) from step 1 into step 2.
P(A)=45⋅103P(B)=4015P(B)=83P(B).
So P(A) is 83 of P(B).
- Now write P(A∪B) using the inclusion-exclusion formula.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B).
Substitute the expressions we have:
P(A∪B)=83P(B)+P(B)−103P(B).
- Combine the terms over a common denominator. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events of a random experiment such that P(A)=32, P(B)=154 and P(A∩B)=51, then 195[P(B∣(A∪B))+P(A∪B)]= (A) 9 (B) 11 (C) 13 (D) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution
This problem requires us to calculate probabilities of various event combinations (complement, intersection, union) and a conditional probability using fundamental set theory identities. We then substitute these values into the given expression to find the final numerical result. The final value is 11.
To solve this problem, we need to systematically break down the given expression and calculate each probability term using the fundamental rules of probability and set theory. The key is to correctly apply the formulas for complements, unions, intersections, and conditional probabilities, often using set identities to simplify complex event descriptions.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
-
Determine P(A) from P(A):
The probability of an event A and its complement A always sum to 1.
P(A)+P(A)=1
Given P(A)=32, we can find P(A):
P(A)=1−P(A)=1−32=31.
-
Determine P(A∩B) using P(A∩B):
The event A can be partitioned into two mutually exclusive events: A∩B (A and B both occur) and A∩B (A occurs, but B does not).
P(A)=P(A∩B)+P(A∩B)
We are given P(A∩B)=51 and we found P(A)=31.
So, P(A∩B)=P(A)−P(A∩B)=31−51.
To subtract these fractions, we find a common denominator, which is 15:
P(A∩B)=155−153=152.
-
Calculate P(A∪B):
The probability of the union of two events A and B is given by the addition rule.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
We have P(A)=31, P(B)=154 (given), and P(A∩B)=152 (from Step 2).
P(A∪B)=31+154−152.
Using a common denominator of 15:
P(A∪B)=155+154−152=155+4−2=157.
This is the first part of the sum inside the square root.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Identify the intersection term:
The conditional probability P(X∣Y) is defined as P(Y)P(X∩Y). Here, X=B and Y=(A∪B).
So, we need to find P(B∩(A∪B)).
Using the distributive property of set intersection over union:
B∩(A∪B)=(B∩A)∪(B∩B).
The event B∩B means that event B occurs AND event B does NOT occur, which is impossible. Thus, B∩B=∅.
So, B∩(A∪B)=(B∩A)∪∅=B∩A.
Therefore, P(B∩(A∪B))=P(A∩B).
From Step 2, we know P(A∩B)=152. This is the numerator for our conditional probability.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Calculate P(B):
Similar to Step 1, we use the complement rule for event B.
P(B)=1−P(B).
Given P(B)=154:
P(B)=1−154=1515−4=1511.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Calculate P(A∪B):
This is the denominator for our conditional probability. We use the addition rule for A and B.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
We have P(A)=31 (from Step 1), P(B)=1511 (from Step 5), and P(A∩B)=51 (given).
P(A∪B)=31+1511−51.
Using a common denominator of 15: …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Let P=147258369 be a matrix. Three elements of this matrix P are selected at random. A is the event of having the three elements whose sum is odd. B is the event of selecting the three elements which are in a row or column. Then P(A)+P(BA)= (A) 420221 (B) 2117 (C) 2021 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
We compute the probability that three randomly chosen entries sum to an odd number, then the conditional probability of that event given they lie in a single row or column, and add them. The result simplifies to 2117, which is option (B).
Concept & Intuition
The matrix has 9 entries. We pick 3 of them uniformly at random.
- For event A (odd sum), we need to count how many triples have an odd total. Since odd/even depends only on parity, we first classify the 9 numbers by parity: 1,3,5,7,9 are odd (5 odds); 2,4,6,8 are even (4 evens). The sum of three numbers is odd iff we have an odd number of odd entries among them — i.e., 1 or 3 odds.
- For event B (all in one row or one column), we count triples that lie entirely in a single row (3 rows, each row has 3 entries → 1 triple per row) or entirely in a single column (3 columns, each column has 3 entries → 1 triple per column). That gives 3+3=6 triples.
- Then P(A/B) is the fraction of those 6 triples that also have an odd sum.
We compute both probabilities and add them.
Step-by-step
- Total number of ways to choose 3 entries from 9
(39)=84.
- Count triples with odd sum (event A)
- Case 1: exactly 1 odd, 2 evens Choose 1 odd from 5 odds: (15)=5 Choose 2 evens from 4 evens: (24)=6 Total: 5×6=30 triples.
- Case 2: exactly 3 odds, 0 evens Choose 3 odds from 5 odds: (35)=10 Total: 10 triples.
- So ∣A∣=30+10=40. Hence
P(A)=8440=2110.
- Count triples in a row or column (event B)
- Rows: 3 rows, each row has exactly 1 triple (all three entries). So 3 triples.
- Columns: 3 columns, each column has exactly 1 triple. So 3 triples.
- Total: ∣B∣=6. Hence
P(B)=846=141.
- Count triples that are both in a row/column AND have odd sum (event A∩B) Check each row and column for odd sum: …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.Three persons A, B, C planned to have a running race among themselves. If the probability that A wins the race is thrice that of B and the probability that B wins the race is 23 times that of C, then the difference in probabilities of A and C to win the race is (A) 32 (B) 21 (C) 145 (D) 73
›Reveal solutionSolution
With P(A)=149, P(C)=142, the difference is P(A)−P(C)=21.
Let P(C)=p. Then P(B)=23p and P(A)=3P(B)=29p.
The three probabilities sum to 1 (one of them must win):
29p+23p+p=7p=1 ⇒ p=71.
Hence
P(A)=29⋅71=149,P(C)=71=142. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.A card is drawn randomly from a well shuffled pack of 52 cards. If A is the event of getting a diamond card and B is the event of getting an ace card, then the probability that exactly one of the events among A and B to occur is (A) 5215 (B) 134 (C) 5217 (D) 135
›Reveal solutionSolution
The probability that exactly one of the events A (diamond) or B (ace) occurs is the sum of their individual probabilities minus twice the probability of both occurring. The result is 5215, which corresponds to option (A).
We want the probability that exactly one of the two events happens — that is, either we draw a diamond that is not an ace, or we draw an ace that is not a diamond. This is a classic "exclusive or" (XOR) situation.
Why this approach works:
If we simply add P(A)+P(B), we count the case where both occur (the ace of diamonds) twice. To get exactly one, we subtract that double-counted overlap once more than usual — hence P(A)+P(B)−2P(A∩B).
-
Identify the probabilities of each event individually.
- There are 13 diamonds in a deck of 52, so P(A)=5213=41.
- There are 4 aces, so P(B)=524=131.
-
Find the probability that both events occur (the intersection).
- Only one card is both a diamond and an ace: the ace of diamonds.
- So P(A∩B)=521.
-
Apply the formula for exactly one event.
- Exactly one of A or B occurs means: (A and not B) or (B and not A).
- The probability is:
P(exactly one)=P(A)+P(B)−2P(A∩B)
- Substitute the values:
5213+524−2⋅521=5213+4−2=5215
- Check against the options. …
-
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.The numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 are written on six distinct paper chits. If 3 of them are chosen at random, then the probability that the sum of the numbers on the obtained chits is divisible by 3, is (A) 207 (B) 206 (C) 205 (D) 51
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to classify each number by its remainder modulo 3, then count only those 3‑card combinations whose remainders sum to a multiple of 3. The probability is 207, which corresponds to option (A).
We have six numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13.
We pick 3 at random. The total number of ways is (36)=20.
We want the probability that the sum of the three chosen numbers is divisible by 3.
Why classify by remainder?
A number’s remainder modulo 3 determines whether it contributes 0, 1, or 2 to the total sum mod 3. The sum of three numbers is divisible by 3 exactly when the sum of their remainders is 0 mod 3. This turns a problem about specific numbers into a simple counting problem about remainder classes.
Step-by-step
-
Find each number’s remainder mod 3
- 2≡2
- 3≡0
- 5≡2
- 7≡1
- 11≡2
- 13≡1
So we have:
- Remainder 0: {3} → 1 number
- Remainder 1: {7, 13} → 2 numbers
- Remainder 2: {2, 5, 11} → 3 numbers
-
Which remainder combinations sum to 0 mod 3?
Let (r1, r2, r3) be the remainders of the three chosen numbers. We need r1+r2+r3≡0(mod3).
The possible triples (order doesn’t matter) are:
- (0,0,0) — all three have remainder 0
- (1,1,1) — all three have remainder 1
- (2,2,2) — all three have remainder 2
- (0,1,2) — one of each remainder
No other triple works (e.g., (0,0,1) sums to 1, etc.).
-
Count the number of 3‑card combinations for each case
- (0,0,0): Only 1 number with remainder 0, so impossible. Count = 0. …
-
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-FN1 markMCQQ.A pair of dice is thrown twice in succession. The probability of getting prime numbers on both the dice in first throw and composite numbers on both the dice in second throw is (A) 2161 (B) 161 (C) 361 (D) 91
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to treat the two throws as independent events, multiply their probabilities, and note that each die has 3 prime numbers (2,3,5) and 2 composite numbers (4,6) — 1 is neither. The final probability is 161.
We start by recalling what “prime” and “composite” mean for the numbers 1 through 6 on a standard die.
- Prime numbers on a die: 2, 3, 5 (three numbers).
- Composite numbers on a die: 4, 6 (two numbers).
- Neither: 1 (not prime, not composite).
The problem asks: first throw — both dice show primes; second throw — both dice show composites. The two throws are independent, so we multiply probabilities.
- Probability of both dice showing primes in the first throw For one die, P(prime)=63=21. Since the two dice are independent,
P(both prime)=21×21=41.
- Probability of both dice showing composites in the second throw For one die, P(composite)=62=31. So,
P(both composite)=31×31=91.
- Combine the two independent events …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.If the probability that a student selected at random from a particular college is good at mathematics is 0.6, then the probability of having two students who are good at mathematics in a group of 8 students of that college standing in front of the college is (A) 5826×32×7 (B) 5626×32×7 (C) 5628×32×7 (D) 5828×32×7
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a binomial trial with n=8, p=0.6. P(X=2)=(28)(0.6)2(0.4)6=5828×32×7, option (D).
Binomial model
Each student is independently good at mathematics with probability p=0.6=53, so q=0.4=52. For n=8 students, the number good at mathematics is binomial, and we want exactly two:
P(X=2)=(28)p2q6=(28)(53)2(52)6.
Simplify
(28)=28,(53)2=5232,(52)6=5626. …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If X is a Poisson variate satisfying the condition 3P(x=2)=P(x=4) then P(x=6)= (A) 5e6162 (B) 5e6108 (C) 5e6324 (D) 5e6648
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to use the Poisson probability mass function P(X=k)=k!e−λλk, set up the given condition 3P(X=2)=P(X=4), solve for λ, then compute P(X=6) and match it to one of the options. The final result is 5e6324, which corresponds to option (C).
We start with the Poisson distribution. A Poisson random variable X with mean λ has probability mass function
P(X=k)=k!e−λλk,k=0,1,2,…
The problem gives a relationship between P(X=2) and P(X=4). This lets us solve for λ, the only unknown parameter. Once we know λ, we can compute P(X=6) directly.
- Write the given condition in terms of λ. We have 3P(X=2)=P(X=4). Substituting the Poisson formula:
3⋅2!e−λλ2=4!e−λλ4
- Cancel the common factor e−λ (since e−λ>0 for any finite λ). This gives:
3⋅2λ2=24λ4
- Simplify both sides. Left: 3⋅2λ2=23λ2. Right: 24λ4. So:
23λ2=24λ4
- Solve for λ. Multiply both sides by 24:
24⋅23λ2=λ4⇒36λ2=λ4
Rearranging:
λ4−36λ2=0⇒λ2(λ2−36)=0
Since λ>0 for a Poisson distribution (mean cannot be zero if we have nonzero probabilities for k=2,4), we take λ2=36, so λ=6. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-FN1 markMCQQ.The probability distribution of a random variable X is given below. Then, the standard deviation of X is
[!FORMULA] X=xiP(X=xi)23k3k5k72k12k
(A) 11 (B) 11 (C) 5 (D) 5›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to first find the constant k by ensuring the total probability sums to 1, then compute the mean μ, then the variance σ2=E[X2]−μ2, and finally take the square root to get the standard deviation. The result is 11, so the correct option is (B).
We are given a discrete probability distribution. To find the standard deviation, we need the mean (expected value) and the variance. But first, we must determine the unknown constant k from the condition that probabilities sum to 1.
Why this approach works:
Standard deviation measures spread around the mean. For a discrete random variable, we compute the mean μ=∑xiP(xi), then the variance σ2=∑(xi−μ)2P(xi) or equivalently σ2=E[X2]−μ2. The square root of variance gives the standard deviation. The constant k is found by normalizing the probabilities.
-
Find k using total probability = 1
The probabilities are: P(2)=3k, P(3)=k, P(5)=k, P(7)=2k, P(12)=k.
Sum: 3k+k+k+2k+k=8k.
Set 8k=1⇒k=81.
-
Compute the mean μ=E[X]
μ=∑xiP(xi)=2⋅83+3⋅81+5⋅81+7⋅82+12⋅81
=86+83+85+814+812=840=5.
So the mean is 5.
- Compute E[X2]
E[X2]=∑xi2P(xi)=4⋅83+9⋅81+25⋅81+49⋅82+144⋅81
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