Mutual Exclusive

Before we get to the addition rules of probability, first you have to know
whether the event is mutually exclusive or not.
- Mutual exclusive is when two events that cannot occur at the same time.
1. The first step is to ask yourself, Can they occur at the same?
- If you answer yes, then they are NOT mutually exclusive.
- If your answer no, then they are mutually exclusive.

Addition Rules
1. When two events are mutually exclusive:
A. The probability of A or B is their sum
- P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)
2. When two events are NOT mutually exclusive:
- P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(overlap)
- Overlap means the probability that both occur

Steps and Examples

1. Easy (A bag of jolly ranchers contains 6 red jolly ranchers, 8 blue jolly
ranchers, 3 yellow jolly ranchers, and 1 purple jolly ranchers. Find the
probability of picking a red jolly ranchers or a purple jolly ranchers)
A. To start, ask yourself, Can they occur at the same time?
- No, so that means they are mutually exclusive
B. If they mutually exclusive, you use this equation: P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)
C. Then, take the probability of picking a red jolly rancher (event A) and add
it to the probability of picking a purple jolly rancher (event B)
- It should look like this: P(red or purple)=(6/18)+(1/18)
D. After adding both events, the answer should be P(red or purple)=7/18

2. Medium (From a standard deck of cards, find the probability of picking a 2

or an odd number card) For this next problem, it is required to know what a
standard deck o cards consists of. See picture below.

A. To start, ask yourself, Can they occur at the same time?

- No, so that means they are mutually exclusive
B. If they are mutually exclusive, you use this equation: P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)
C. Then, take the probability of picking a 2 (event A) and add it to the
probability of picking an odd number card (event B)
- It should look like this: P(2 or odd)=(4/52)+(20/52)
D. After adding both events, reduce the fraction
- Your answer should be: P(2 or odd)=24/52, which reduces to 6/13
3. Hard (From a standard deck of cards, find the probability of picking a 4 and
an even number card)
A. To start, ask yourself, Can they occur at the same time?
- Yes, so that means they are NOT mutually exclusive
B. If they are NOT mutually exclusive, you use this equation:
- P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(overlap)
C. Then, take the probability of picking a 4 (event A) and add it to the
probability of picking an even number card (event B), then subtract the
overlap (which is when both events occur at the same time)
- It should look like this: P(4 or even)=(4/52)+(20/52)-(4/52)
D. After adding both events and subtracting the overlap, reduce the
fraction
- Your answer should be: P(4 or even)=20/52, which reduces to 5/13

Common Mistakes
1. Be careful while reading instructions, there is a difference between or &
and. Remember that or is for addition.
2. Most students use the incorrect equation a problem because they have
confused whether it is mutually exclusive or not.
3. Remember to reduce fractions.
4. All answers should have the P(A or B)=.

Real World Application

Probability is used almost everyday. Adding probability is most likely used
in casinos. People who play any type of games that involve gamble or cards
use probability. The most popular example is black jack. Adding probability can
be used to see what are the chances of getting a certain card and wining.