Compound Events

Because we are using the framework of set theory to

analyze probability, we can use unions, intersections and
complements to break complex events into compositions of
events for which it may be easier to calculate probabilities.
Compound Events

Because we are using the framework of set theory to

analyze probability, we can use unions, intersections and
complements to break complex events into compositions of
events for which it may be easier to calculate probabilities.

An event that can be described in terms of the union,

intersection or complement of events is called a
compound event. We get formulas for the probabilities of
compound events similar to the counting formulas we
encountered earlier. in fact, we can derive these directly
from our counting formulas for equally likely sample spaces.
Compound Events

Let E and F be events in a sample space, then

I E ∪ F (the union of E and F ) is the event consisting
of those outcomes which are in at least one of the two
events, that is those outcomes which are in either E or
F or both.
I E ∩ F (the intersection of E and F ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are in both of the
events E and F .
I The event E 0 (the complement of E ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are not in E.
Compound Events

Let E and F be events in a sample space, then

I E ∪ F (the union of E and F ) is the event consisting
of those outcomes which are in at least one of the two
events, that is those outcomes which are in either E or
F or both.
I E ∩ F (the intersection of E and F ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are in both of the
events E and F .
I The event E 0 (the complement of E ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are not in E.
Compound Events

Let E and F be events in a sample space, then

I E ∪ F (the union of E and F ) is the event consisting
of those outcomes which are in at least one of the two
events, that is those outcomes which are in either E or
F or both.
I E ∩ F (the intersection of E and F ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are in both of the
events E and F .
I The event E 0 (the complement of E ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are not in E.
Compound Events

Let E and F be events in a sample space, then

I E ∪ F (the union of E and F ) is the event consisting
of those outcomes which are in at least one of the two
events, that is those outcomes which are in either E or
F or both.
I E ∩ F (the intersection of E and F ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are in both of the
events E and F .
I The event E 0 (the complement of E ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are not in E.
Compound Events

Let E and F be events in a sample space, then

I E ∪ F (the union of E and F ) is the event consisting
of those outcomes which are in at least one of the two
events, that is those outcomes which are in either E or
F or both.
I E ∩ F (the intersection of E and F ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are in both of the
events E and F .
I The event E 0 (the complement of E ) is the event
consisting of those outcomes which are not in E.
Compound Events
Example Roll a pair of fair six-sided dice, one red and
one green, and observe the pair of numbers on the two
uppermost faces. The sample space for this experiment
shown below is a list of the possible pairs of numbers,
listing the number on the red die first and the number on
the green die second.
n
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)o
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.
Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.

(6, 1), (5, 2), (4, 3), (3, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)
Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.

(6, 1), (5, 2), (4, 3), (3, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)

(b) Let F be the event: “At least one of the numbers on

the uppermost faces is 6”. How many outcomes are in the
event F ?
Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.

(6, 1), (5, 2), (4, 3), (3, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)

(b) Let F be the event: “At least one of the numbers on

the uppermost faces is 6”. How many outcomes are in the
event F ?

(6, 1), (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 5),
(6, 6), (5, 6), (4, 6), (3, 6), (2, 6), (1, 6)
so there are 11 possible outcomes in F .
Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.

(6, 1), (5, 2), (4, 3), (3, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)

(b) Let F be the event: “At least one of the numbers on

the uppermost faces is 6”. How many outcomes are in the
event F ?

(6, 1), (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 5),
(6, 6), (5, 6), (4, 6), (3, 6), (2, 6), (1, 6)
so there are 11 possible outcomes in F .

(c) List the outcomes in E ∩ F .

Compound Events
(a) Let E be the event: “The sum of the pair of numbers
on the uppermost faces is 7”. List the elements of E.

(6, 1), (5, 2), (4, 3), (3, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)

(b) Let F be the event: “At least one of the numbers on

the uppermost faces is 6”. How many outcomes are in the
event F ?

(6, 1), (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 5),
(6, 6), (5, 6), (4, 6), (3, 6), (2, 6), (1, 6)
so there are 11 possible outcomes in F .

(c) List the outcomes in E ∩ F .


(6, 1), (1, 6)
Compound Events

(d) How many outcomes are in the event E ∪ F .

Compound Events

(d) How many outcomes are in the event E ∪ F .

Notice I was not asked to list them so I can compute as

follows:

n (E ∪ F ) = n (E) + n (F ) − n (E ∩ F ) = 6 + 11 − 2 = 15
Compound Events

(d) How many outcomes are in the event E ∪ F .

Notice I was not asked to list them so I can compute as

follows:

n (E ∪ F ) = n (E) + n (F ) − n (E ∩ F ) = 6 + 11 − 2 = 15

(e) How many outcomes are in the event E 0 .

Compound Events

(d) How many outcomes are in the event E ∪ F .

Notice I was not asked to list them so I can compute as

follows:

n (E ∪ F ) = n (E) + n (F ) − n (E ∩ F ) = 6 + 11 − 2 = 15

(e) How many outcomes are in the event E 0 .

n (E 0 ) = n (U ) − n (E) = 36 − 6 = 30
Compound Events
Example An experiment with outcomes a, b, c, d is
described by the probability table
Outcomes Probability
a 0.2
b 0.1
c 0.15
d 0.55
Compound Events
Example An experiment with outcomes a, b, c, d is
described by the probability table
Outcomes Probability
a 0.2
b 0.1
c 0.15
d 0.55

Consider the events E = {a, b, c} and F = {b, c, d}. What is

P(E ∩ F )?
Compound Events
Example An experiment with outcomes a, b, c, d is
described by the probability table
Outcomes Probability
a 0.2
b 0.1
c 0.15
d 0.55

Consider the events E = {a, b, c} and F = {b, c, d}. What is

P(E ∩ F )?

E ∩ F = b, c so
P(E ∩ F ) = P({b, c}) = P(b) + P(c) = 0.1 + 0.15 = 0.25.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Last time, we saw that if E is an event in a sample space
with equally likely outcomes, we know that

P(E 0 ) = 1 − P(E).
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Last time, we saw that if E is an event in a sample space
with equally likely outcomes, we know that

P(E 0 ) = 1 − P(E).

This rule is true for any sample space and is not

difficult to prove.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Last time, we saw that if E is an event in a sample space
with equally likely outcomes, we know that

P(E 0 ) = 1 − P(E).

This rule is true for any sample space and is not

difficult to prove.
We can also derive the following formula for the probability
of the union of two events, which we will demonstrate in the
case where the sample space has equally likely outcomes:

Let E and F be events in a sample space S, then

P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).

Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

If E and F are events in a sample space with equally likely

outcomes, then

n (E ∪ F ) n (E) + n (F ) − n (E ∩ F )
P(E ∪ F ) = = =
n (S) n (S)
n (E) n (F ) n (E ∩ F )
+ − =
n (S) n (S) n (S)
P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Example We can see this in action in our previous
example: We show the event E in red below, we show the
event F in blue, we show the event E ∩ F in green and the
event E ∪ F in magenta.

n n
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6) (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6) (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6) (3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6) (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)o (5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)o
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6) (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)

n n
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6) (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6) (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6) (3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6) (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)o (5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)o
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6) (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(a) Verify that P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).

Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(a) Verify that P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).

15 6 11 2
P(E ∪ F ) = ; P(E) = ; P(F ) = ; P(E ∩ F ) = .
36 36 36 36
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(a) Verify that P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).

15 6 11 2
P(E ∪ F ) = ; P(E) = ; P(F ) = ; P(E ∩ F ) = .
36 36 36 36
(b) Use the formulas given above to find P(E 0 ∪ F ).
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(a) Verify that P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ).

15 6 11 2
P(E ∪ F ) = ; P(E) = ; P(F ) = ; P(E ∩ F ) = .
36 36 36 36
(b) Use the formulas given above to find P(E 0 ∪ F ).
n (E 0 ∪ F ) n (E 0 ) n (F ) n (E 0 ∩ F )
P(E 0 ∪ F ) = = + − =
36 36 36 36
36 − n (E) + n (F ) − n (E 0 ∩ F ) 30 + 11 − 9 32
= =
36 36 36
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
For this next set of examples E and F are events in some
unknown sample space S.
Example Let E and F be events in a sample space S. If
P(E) = .3, P(F ) = .8 and P(E ∩ F ) = .2, what is
P(E ∪ F )?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
For this next set of examples E and F are events in some
unknown sample space S.
Example Let E and F be events in a sample space S. If
P(E) = .3, P(F ) = .8 and P(E ∩ F ) = .2, what is
P(E ∪ F )?
P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ) = 0.3 + 0.8 − 0.2 = 0.9
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
For this next set of examples E and F are events in some
unknown sample space S.
Example Let E and F be events in a sample space S. If
P(E) = .3, P(F ) = .8 and P(E ∩ F ) = .2, what is
P(E ∪ F )?
P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ) = 0.3 + 0.8 − 0.2 = 0.9

Example Let A and B be two events. If P(A ∪ B) = 0.7,

P(A) = 0.3, and P(B) = 0.4 then P(A ∩ B) =?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
For this next set of examples E and F are events in some
unknown sample space S.
Example Let E and F be events in a sample space S. If
P(E) = .3, P(F ) = .8 and P(E ∩ F ) = .2, what is
P(E ∪ F )?
P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F ) = 0.3 + 0.8 − 0.2 = 0.9

Example Let A and B be two events. If P(A ∪ B) = 0.7,

P(A) = 0.3, and P(B) = 0.4 then P(A ∩ B) =?

P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A ∩ B)

0.7 = 0.3 + 0.4 − P(A ∩ B)
so P(A ∩ B) = 0. In other words A ∩ B never happens which
means A ∩ B is the empty set so A and B are disjoint.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example Let E and F be events in a sample space, S. If

P(E) = .5, P(F 0 ) = .4 and P(E ∪ F ) = .9, find P(E ∩ F ).
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example Let E and F be events in a sample space, S. If

P(E) = .5, P(F 0 ) = .4 and P(E ∪ F ) = .9, find P(E ∩ F ).

If we knew P(F ) the calculation would be straightforward.

But P(F ) = 1 − P(F 0 ) = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6.

P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ) − P(E ∩ F )

0.9 = 0.5 + 0.6 − P(E ∩ F )

so P(E ∩ F ) = 0.2.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example At the Bad Donkey Stables, 50% of the donkeys

bite, 40% kick, and 20% do both. You are helping out for
the day and you choose a donkey at random to groom.
What is the probability that the donkey you choose will
either bite or kick (or both)?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example At the Bad Donkey Stables, 50% of the donkeys

bite, 40% kick, and 20% do both. You are helping out for
the day and you choose a donkey at random to groom.
What is the probability that the donkey you choose will
either bite or kick (or both)?

Let B be the subset ( = event) of donkeys that bite and let

K be the subset of donkeys that kick. We are told
P(B) = 0.5, P(K) = 0.4 and P(B ∩ K) = 0.2. We have
been asked for
P(B ∪K) = P(B)+P(K)−P(B ∩K) = 0.5+0.4−0.2 = 0.7
or 70%.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example there are 10,000 undergraduate students

currently enrolled at the University of Notthe Same. Two
thousand of the undergraduate students are currently
enrolled in a math class, two thousand, five hundred are
currently enrolled in an English class and five hundred are
currently enrolled in both and English and a math class. If
you choose a student at random from among
undergraduates currently enrolled at the University of
Notthe Same,
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
(a) What is the probability that they are enrolled in either
an English class or a math class or both?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
(a) What is the probability that they are enrolled in either
an English class or a math class or both?

Let M be the subset of students enrolled in a math class

and let E be the subset enrolled in an English class. The
sample space S is all undergraduate students. We are told
n (M ) 2, 000 n (E) 2, 500
P(M ) = = , P(E) = = and
n (S) 10, 000 n (S) 10, 000
n (E ∩ M ) 500
P(E ∩ M ) = = . We are asked for
n (S) 10, 000
n (E ∪ M ) 2, 500 2, 000 500
P(E ∪ M ) = = + − =
n (S) 10, 000 10, 000 10, 000
4, 000
= 0.4 or 40%.
10, 000
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(b) What is the probability that the student is not enrolled

in either an English or a math class?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

(b) What is the probability that the student is not enrolled

in either an English or a math class?

Here we are
being asked for

P (E ∪ M )0 = 1 − P(E ∪ M ) = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example In the town of Novax, the probability that a

child will contract measles is 0.45, the probability that the
child will contract whooping cough is 0.6 and the
probability that the child will contract both is 0.3, what is
the probability that the child will contract at least one of
these diseases?
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

Example In the town of Novax, the probability that a

child will contract measles is 0.45, the probability that the
child will contract whooping cough is 0.6 and the
probability that the child will contract both is 0.3, what is
the probability that the child will contract at least one of
these diseases?

Let M denote the subset of children with measles and let

W denote the subset of children with whooping cough.
Then we are being told P(M ) = 0.45 P(W ) = 0.6 and
P(M ∩ W ) = 0.3. We are being asked for P(M ∪ W ) =
P(M ) + P(W ) − P(M ∩ W ) = 0.45 + 0.6 − 0.3 = 0.75.
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Example Kristina randomly chooses a route from K to B
(see map below) with no backtracking for her morning run.
What is the probability that the route she chooses will take
her past either the doberman at D or the rottweiler at R
(or both).
Ks

Ds

sR

sB
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle
Ks

Ds

sR

sB Here the sample space S is the

set of all routes with no backtracking. As we have argued before
n (S) = C(5 + 4, 5) = C(9, 5) = 126. Let D be the subset of
routes which take her past the doberman and R the subset of
routes that take her past the rottweiler. We have counted each
of these in the past.
n (D) = C(2 + 2, 2) · C(3 + 2, 3) = C(4, 2) · (5, 3) = 6 · 10 = 60
and
n (R) = C(4 + 3, 3) · C(1 + 1, 1) = C(7, 3) · (2, 1) = 35 · 12 = 70
Complement Rule and Inclusion-Exclusion
Principle

We also know how to compute n (D ∩ R): it is the set of all

routes that go through both D and R so

n (D ∩ R) = C(2 + 2, 2) · C(2 + 1, 2) · C(1 + 1, 1) =

C(4, 2) · (3, 2) · C(2, 1) = 6 · 3 · 2 = 36.
n (D ∪ R)
We are being asked for P(D ∪ R) = =
n (S)
n (D) n (R) n (D ∩ R) 60 70 36 94
+ − = + − = .
n (S) n (S) n (S) 126 126 126 126
Venn Diagrams
We can use Venn diagrams to represent probabilities by
recording the appropriate probability in each basic region.
Note the sum of all probabilities in the sample
space(represented by the outer rectangle) is one.

Example If P(E) = .4, P(F ) = .5 and P(E ∩ F 0 ) = .3,

(a) Use a Venn diagram to find P(E ∩ F ).
Venn Diagrams
We can use Venn diagrams to represent probabilities by
recording the appropriate probability in each basic region.
Note the sum of all probabilities in the sample
space(represented by the outer rectangle) is one.

Example If P(E) = .4, P(F ) = .5 and P(E ∩ F 0 ) = .3,

(a) Use a Venn diagram to find P(E ∩ F ).
To use a Venn diagram for probabilities we proceed just as
we did for counting. First we need the value for a simple
piece of the diagram. In this case E ∩ F 0 is the shaded
simple piece:
Venn Diagrams

Hence we start by writing

Since P(E) = 0.4 we need to write 0.1 in E ∩ F to get the

probabilities to add up correctly.
Venn Diagrams

Since P(F ) = 0.5 we need to put 0.4 in the remaining piece

of F .
Venn Diagrams

Finally, since the total of all the probabilities must be 1, we

need to put 0.2 in the outer region.
Venn Diagrams

Then P(E ∩ F ) = 0.1.

Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.

We say two events E and F are mutually exclusive if

they have no outcomes in common. This is equivalent to
any one of the following conditions:
I E and F are disjoint,

I E ∩ F = ∅,

I P(E ∩ F ) = 0.
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.

We say two events E and F are mutually exclusive if

they have no outcomes in common. This is equivalent to
any one of the following conditions:
I E and F are disjoint,

I E ∩ F = ∅,

I P(E ∩ F ) = 0.
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.

We say two events E and F are mutually exclusive if

they have no outcomes in common. This is equivalent to
any one of the following conditions:
I E and F are disjoint,

I E ∩ F = ∅,

I P(E ∩ F ) = 0.
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.

We say two events E and F are mutually exclusive if

they have no outcomes in common. This is equivalent to
any one of the following conditions:
I E and F are disjoint,

I E ∩ F = ∅,

I P(E ∩ F ) = 0.
Venn Diagrams
(b) Find P(E ∪ F ).

P(E ∪ F ) = 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.8.

Note If P(E) = 1, it means that E is a certain event and

if P(E) = 0, the event is impossible.

We say two events E and F are mutually exclusive if

they have no outcomes in common. This is equivalent to
any one of the following conditions:
I E and F are disjoint,

I E ∩ F = ∅,

I P(E ∩ F ) = 0.
Venn Diagrams

When two events E and F are mutually exclusive, we see

from the formula for P(E ∪ F ) above that can calculate
P(E ∪ F ) by adding probabilities, that is
E and F mutually exclusive implies that
P(E ∪ F ) = P(E) + P(F ).
Venn Diagrams
Example Two fair six sided dice are rolled, and the
numbers on their top faces are recorded. Consider the
following events:
E: both numbers are odd (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
F: the sum of the two (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
numbers is odd (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
G: at least one of the (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
numbers is a 5
Which of the following statements about these events is true?
(a) E and G are mutually exclusive.
(b) E and F are mutually exclusive

(c) F and G are mutually exclusive

Venn Diagrams
Example Two fair six sided dice are rolled, and the
numbers on their top faces are recorded. Consider the
following events:
E: both numbers are odd (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
F: the sum of the two (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
numbers is odd (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
G: at least one of the (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
numbers is a 5
Which of the following statements about these events is true?
(a) E and G are mutually exclusive. No.(5, 5) is a simple event in both.
(b) E and F are mutually exclusive

(c) F and G are mutually exclusive

Venn Diagrams
Example Two fair six sided dice are rolled, and the
numbers on their top faces are recorded. Consider the
following events:
E: both numbers are odd (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
F: the sum of the two (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
numbers is odd (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
G: at least one of the (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
numbers is a 5
Which of the following statements about these events is true?
(a) E and G are mutually exclusive. No.(5, 5) is a simple event in both.
(b) E and F are mutually exclusive Yes. The sum of 2 odd numbers is

even.

(c) F and G are mutually exclusive

Venn Diagrams
Example Two fair six sided dice are rolled, and the
numbers on their top faces are recorded. Consider the
following events:
E: both numbers are odd (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
F: the sum of the two (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
numbers is odd (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
G: at least one of the (6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
numbers is a 5
Which of the following statements about these events is true?
(a) E and G are mutually exclusive. No.(5, 5) is a simple event in both.
(b) E and F are mutually exclusive Yes. The sum of 2 odd numbers is

even.

(c) F and G are mutually exclusive No. (5, 2) is a simple event in both
Venn Diagrams

Example if we draw 5 cards from a deck of 52 at random,

what is the probability that the hand of cards we draw will
have either 4 aces or 4 kings?
Venn Diagrams

Example if we draw 5 cards from a deck of 52 at random,

what is the probability that the hand of cards we draw will
have either 4 aces or 4 kings?

The sample space S is the set of all 5 card subsets of the 52

cards so n (S) = C(52, 5). The subset of hands with 4 aces
A is C(4, 4) · C(48, 1) = 48. The subset of hands with 4
kings K is C(4, 4) · C(48, 1) = 48. The subsets A and K
are disjoint so n (A ∪ K) = 96. Hence the answer is
n (A ∪ K) 96
P(A ∪ K) = = =
n (S) 2, 598, 960
3.69378520639025 · 10−5 = 0.0000369378520639025.
Venn Diagrams
Example If we flip a coin 20 times and observe the
resulting ordered sequence of heads and tails,
(write the answers using combinations of powers, permutations, combinations or factorials as

appropriate)

(a) what is the probability that we get either exactly 0

heads or exactly 1 head or 2 heads in the resulting
sequence?
Venn Diagrams
Example If we flip a coin 20 times and observe the
resulting ordered sequence of heads and tails,
(write the answers using combinations of powers, permutations, combinations or factorials as

appropriate)

(a) what is the probability that we get either exactly 0

heads or exactly 1 head or 2 heads in the resulting
sequence?
The sample space S has size n (S) = 220 . Let Hi be the
subset of S with i heads, so as we have seen,
n (Hi ) = C(20, i). We want n (H0 ∪ H1 ∪ H2 ) and these
three subsets are mutually exclusive so
n (H0 ∪ H1 ∪ H2 ) = n (H0 ) + n (H1 ) + n (H2 ) =
C(20, 0) + C(20, 1) + C(20, 2) = 1 + 20 + 190 = 211. Hence
the probability is
C(20, 0) + C(20, 1) + C(20, 2)
P(H0 ∪ H1 ∪ H2 ) = .
220
Venn Diagrams

(b) what is the probability that we get at least three heads?

The answer is P(H3 ∪ H4 ∪ · · · ∪ H20 ). It is easier to

compute the complement, P(H0 ∪ H1 ∪ H2 ) since we just
did that in (a). Hence the answer is
C(20, 0) + C(20, 1) + C(20, 2)
P(H3 ∪ H4 ∪ · · · ∪ H20 ) = 1 −
220