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I have two non-mutually exclusive events with probability $P(A)$ and $P(B)$. In addition, I am given the intersection of both events: $P(A \cap B)$

Is it then valid to say:

P(A' \cup B') = 1 - P(A) - P(B) + P(A \cup B)

Using the following identities:

P(A' \cup B') = P(A') + P(B') - P(A' \cap B') P(A') = 1 - P(A) P(B') = 1 - P(B) P(A' \cap B') = P((A \cup B)') = 1 - P(A \cup B)

The big thing I'm not sure about here is the use of DeMorgan's laws to simplify the intersection. Does this all look right?

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    although not a proof, Venn's diagram can be helpful to convince yourself.2014-05-03

1 Answers 1

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Your expression is right But why struggle this hard, Apply De-Morgan's Law straight away with the question at hand, like this below:

P(A'\cup B')=P((A \cap B)')=1-P(A\cap B)

You have struggled hard enough to get to the same point, since, $1-P(A \cap B)=1-(P(A)+P(B)-P(A \cup B))=1-P(A)-P(B)+P(A \cup B)$

Do note that, the expression I gave you here is better because, it uses just the information you have been given, viz, $P(A \cap B)$.

Hope this helps!

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    Wow, missed that (I do$n$'t k$n$ow how). Thanks very much.2012-01-22