Zaymiey

📐 Mathematics  ·  Probability  ·  JEE

The total probability theorem states:

Answer: P(A) = sum of P(A|Bi)×P(Bi) for a partition {B1,...,Bn} of sample space.

  • A P(A) = sum of P(A|Bi)×P(Bi) for a partition {B1,...,Bn} of sample space
  • B P(A) = P(A|B), treating conditioning as having no effect
  • C P(A) = 1 - P(A), solved incorrectly as if A were its own complement
  • D P(A ∩ B) = P(A)P(B), valid only under an unstated independence assumption

Correct answer: A. P(A) = sum of P(A|Bi)×P(Bi) for a partition {B1,...,Bn} of sample space

Explanation: Law of total probability: if B1,...,Bn is a partition of S, then P(A) = sum P(A|Bi)P(Bi). Used in Bayes' theorem.

UABA and BA onlyB onlyOutside both circles: complement of (A union B)

Venn diagram of the universal set U with events A and B, showing the intersection (A and B), the parts unique to each event, and the complement region outside both.

Concept context

Chance, events, conditional probability, and Bayes theorem

Read the full Probability notes →