Select the correct answer.

The probability of event [tex]A[/tex] is [tex]x[/tex], and the probability of event [tex]B[/tex] is [tex]y[/tex]. If the two events are independent, which condition must be true?

A. [tex]P(A \mid B) = x[/tex]

B. [tex]P(A \mid B) = y[/tex]

C. [tex]P(B \mid A) = x[/tex]

D. [tex]P(B \mid A) = xy[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which condition must be true given that events \(A\) and \(B\) are independent, we need to understand the properties of independent events in probability theory.

Step-by-step Solution:

1. Definition of Independence:
Two events \(A\) and \(B\) are independent if the occurrence of one event does not affect the occurrence of the other. Mathematically, this is expressed as:
[tex]\[ P(A \cap B) = P(A) \cdot P(B) \][/tex]

2. Conditional Probability:
The conditional probability of \(A\) given \(B\) is defined as:
[tex]\[ P(A \mid B) = \frac{P(A \cap B)}{P(B)} \][/tex]

3. Substitute using Independence:
Since events \(A\) and \(B\) are independent, we can substitute \(P(A \cap B)\) with \(P(A) \cdot P(B)\):
[tex]\[ P(A \mid B) = \frac{P(A) \cdot P(B)}{P(B)} \][/tex]

4. Simplify:
When we simplify the expression, assuming \(P(B) \neq 0\):
[tex]\[ P(A \mid B) = \frac{P(A) \cdot P(B)}{P(B)} = P(A) \][/tex]

5. Conclusion:
Therefore, for independent events \(A\) and \(B\), the conditional probability \(P(A \mid B)\) equals the probability of \(A\), which is \(x\).

Thus, the correct condition is:
[tex]\[ A. \ P(A \mid B)=x \][/tex]

Hence, the correct answer is Option A.

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