Suppose p (

a. = 0. 48 and p (

b. = 0. 62.

a. can a and b be mutually exclusive? why or why not.

If a and b are mutually exclusive, the maximum value of the sum

S=P (a) + P (b)

cannot exceed 1.

Since 0.48+0.62=1.1 >1,

a and b cannot be mutually exclusive.

If it is still not clear, sketch a Venn diagram to convince yourself that it is not possible to draw a and b such that P (a) + P (b) >1 while a and b are mutually exclusive.