36 Chapter2 Probability FIGURE 2.6: Venn diagram for proof of Theorem 2.7. The third postulate of probability is sometimes referred to as the special addition rule; it is special in the sense that events A1, A2, A3, . -., must all be mutually exclusive. For any two events A and B, there exists the general addition rule: ‘TaroreM 2.7. If A and B are any two events in a sample space S, then P(AU B) = P(A) + P(B) — P(AN B) Proof. Assigning the probabilities a, b, and c to the mutually exclusive events ANB, ANB’, and A’ B as in the Venn diagram of Figure 2.6, we find that P(AUB)=a+b+e =@+b)+(c+a)~-a = P(A) + P(B) — P(ANB) oO EXAMPLE 2.12 Ina large metropolitan area, the probabilities are 0.86, 0.35, and 0.29 that a family (randomly chosen for a sample survey) owns a color television set, a HDTV set, or both kinds of sets. What is the probability that a family owns either or both kinds of sets? Solution If A is the event that a family in this metropolitan area owns a color television set and B is the event that it owns a HDTV set, we have P(A) = 0.86, P(B) = 0.35, and P(A 1B) = 0.29; substitution into the formula of Theorem 2.7 yields P(AU B) = 0.86 + 0.35 ~ 0.29 = 0.92 . EXAMPLE 2.13 ‘Near a certain exit of I-17, the probabilities are 0.23 and 0.24 that a truck stopped at a soadblock will have faulty brakes or badly worn tires. Also, the probability is