Statistics 3.2 Conditional Probability and the Multiplication Rule
LEQ: How do you know if 2 events are independent or dependent of one another?
Procedure:
1. Conditional Probability: a. Definition 1 : A _________________________________ is the probability of an event occurring, given that another event has already occurred. The conditional probability of event B occurring, given that event A has occurred, is denoted by P(B/A) and is read as “probability of B, given A.” b. Examples 1 & 2 : Finding conditional probabilities:
1. Two cards are selected in sequence from a standard deck. Find the probability that the second card is a queen, given that the first card is a king. (Assume that the king is not replaced.)
2. The table below shows the results of a study in which researchers examined a child’s IQ and the presence of a specific gene in the child.
Find the probability that a child has a high IQ, given that the child has the gene.
Gene present
Gene not present
Total
High IQ
Normal IQ
Total
33
39
72
19
11
30
52
50
102 c. Definition 2 : Two events are _________________________ if the occurrence of one of the events does not affect the probability of the occurrence of the other event. Two events A and B are independent if
Events that are not independent are ________________________.

d. Examples 3 – 6 : Classifying events as independent or dependent:
Decide whether the events are independent or dependent.
3. Selecting a king from a standard deck (A), not replacing it, an
then selecting a queen from the deck (B).
4. Tossing a coin and getting a head (A), then rolling a six-sided die
and obtaining a 6 (B).
5. Driving over 85 miles per hour (A), and then getting in a car accident (B).
6. A salmon swims successfully through a dam (A) and another salmon swims successfully through the same dam (B).
2. Multiplication Rule: a. Definition 3 : ______________________________________________:
The probability that two events A and B will occur in sequence is
If events A and B are independent, then the rule can be simplified to b. Examples 7 – 11 : Using the multiplication rule to find probabilities:
7. Two cards are selected, without replacing the first card, from a standard deck. Find the probability of selecting a king and then selecting a queen.

8. A coin is tossed and a die is rolled. Find the probability of getting a head and then rolling a six.
9. The probability that a salmon swims successfully through a dam is 0.85. Find the probability that three salmon swim successfully through the dam.
10. Find the probability that none of the three salmon is successful.
11. Find the probability that at least one of the three salmon is successful in swimming through the dam.
3. HW: p. 134 (3
– 24 mo3)