Problem:
The probability that event A occurs is 43β; the probability that event B occurs is 32β. Let p be the probability that both A and B occur. The smallest interval necessarily containing p is the interval
Answer Choices:
A. [121β,21β]
B. [125β,21β]
C. [21β,32β]
D. [125β,32β]
E. [121β,32β]
Solution:
Let P(E) be the probability that event E occurs. By the Inclusion-Exclusion Principle, P(AβͺB)=P(A)+P(B)βP(Aβ©B). So p=P(Aβ©B)=P(A)+P(B)βP(AβͺB)=43β+32ββP(AβͺB).
At the most, P(AβͺB)=1; at the least, P(AβͺB)= max{P(A),P(B)}=43β. So 43β+32ββ1β€pβ€43β+32ββ43β, which is (D).
(Note: only if A and B are independent is p=1/2.)