Zaymiey

📐 Mathematics  ·  Probability (Class 11)  ·  JEE

Why is 'mutually exclusive' not the same as 'exhaustive'?

Answer: Mutually exclusive means the events cannot overlap; exhaustive means together they cover the whole sample space.

  • A Mutually exclusive means the events cannot overlap; exhaustive means together they cover the whole sample space
  • B The two terms describe identical conditions expressed in different words
  • C Mutually exclusive events must always be equally likely as well
  • D Exhaustive events must always have equal probabilities in every case

Correct answer: A. Mutually exclusive means the events cannot overlap; exhaustive means together they cover the whole sample space

Explanation: A ∩ B = ∅ concerns overlap, while A ∪ B = S concerns coverage; events can satisfy either condition without the other.

Concept context

Random experiments, sample space, events, and the axiomatic approach to probability

Read the full Probability (Class 11) notes →