document.write( "Question 1130096: Question regarding the below example.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "E and F are mutually exclusive and P(E) = 0.2 and P(F) = 0.5. Find P(E
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If the two are mutually exclusive, using the addition rule, wouldn't P(E U F)=0.7? This is just a guess on my part as I don't know how to work through this type of problem.\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #746745 by ikleyn(52782) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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document.write( "If the two are mutually exclusive, it means that P(E & F) = 0,\r\n" );
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document.write( "and then, using the general formula, you have\r\n" );
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document.write( "    P(E U F) = P(E) + P(F) - P(E & F) = P(E) + P(F) - 0 = P(E) + P(F).\r\n" );
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document.write( "So, your suggestion is correct.\r\n" );
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document.write( "The other, more visual way to see it is  to notice that if the sets E and F are mutually exclusive, then the sets E and F are disjoint.\r\n" );
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