Warning: this is a technical post. It’s really to see if I can clarify ideas in my mind by setting it to paper …. errr …. screen. And it’ll give you a peek into Statistics 421.
In probability theory, mutual exclusivity and independence are important concepts that often are misunderstood and wrongly viewed as one and the same. The fact is, they are essentially opposite. These concepts (particularly independence) are very important in providing a basic foundation to statistical theory.
Say there are two events, A and B. These events are mutually exclusive if by one’s occurence the other is precluded from occuring. If A = “event that I shaved this morning” and B = “event that I did not shave this morning,” the events are mutually exclusive. By virtue of A happening, B CAN’T happen.
Two events, A and B, are independent if one’s occurance has no effect on the occurance of the other. Say A = “event John Kerry becomes president” and B = “event that my head itches.” A has no connection with B. However, if we defined B = “event that all independents voted for John Kerry,” you can see that A and B could influence each other.
When you think of the two concepts without really thinking them through, you think that events that are mutually exclusive would also be independent, when actually, events HAVE to be dependent on one another if they are mutually exclusive.
Reading that aloud to Merry, I felt like I was using some of my most advanced reading skills, what with phrases like “These events are mutually exclusive if by one’s occurence the other is precluded from occuring.” Enunciation.
Crystal
By: Anonymous on October 20, 2004
at 3:52 pm
hey by!! just wanted to say hi to ya,since i havent heard or see ya in a looooong time!!:) later deb
leave me a comment on my site……..lil_deb
By: Anonymous on October 20, 2004
at 4:39 pm
Thank you for giving us a peek into Statistics 421. It was most enlightening, I assure you.
An unfamiliar individual who reads your blog
-Carolita
By: Anonymous on October 20, 2004
at 7:09 pm