# Events and Sample space

• May 1st 2008, 01:30 PM
ccdelia7
Events and Sample space
Suppose that A & B are events in a sample space and that P(A) > (1/2) and P(B) > (1/2).

Prove that P(A "intersection" B) does not equal 0.
• May 1st 2008, 01:33 PM
Isomorphism
Quote:

Originally Posted by ccdelia7
Suppose that A & B are events in a sample space and that P(A) > (1/2) and P(B) > (1/2).

Prove that P(A "intersection" B) does not equal 0.

Hint: $P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B)$ and $P(A \cup B) \leq 1$
• May 1st 2008, 01:42 PM
Plato
$1 \ge P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B) > \left( {1/2} \right) + \left( {1/2} \right) - P(A \cap B)$

Can you use that to finish?
• May 1st 2008, 01:55 PM
ccdelia7
similar to:

limit as n approaches zero, we know that P( A intersection B) must be greater than zero, though it may be close ( as the aforementioned limit). And thus, we see that it also cannot equal zero!

I think I may have been a bit vague, but let me know if that sounds right.

I think I have the right approach now.

Thanks
• May 1st 2008, 02:04 PM
Isomorphism
Quote:

Originally Posted by ccdelia7
similar to:

limit as n approaches zero, we know that P( A intersection B) must be greater than zero, though it may be close ( as the aforementioned limit). And thus, we see that it also cannot equal zero!

I think I may have been a bit vague, but let me know if that sounds right.

I think I have the right approach now.

Thanks

(Headbang)(Wondering) I dont understand what you are saying

$1 \ge P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B) > \left( {1/2} \right) + \left( {1/2} \right) - P(A \cap B) \Rightarrow 0 < P(A \cap B)$