PROBABILITY OF

INDEPENDENT AND
DEPENDENT EVENTS
Prepared by: Leandro R. Panis, Jr.
Nick A. Amaga
Rennel Mendoza

Coordinating Teacher: Jefry E. Aranzado, LPT

 What is Independent Events?

An independent event that has no connection to another event’s chances of

happening (or not happening). In other words, the event has no affect on the
probability of another event occurring. Independent events in probability are no
different from independent events in real-life. Where you school has no effect in
the color of your house.
When two events are independent, one event does not influence the probability
of another events.
 What is Dependent Events?
When two events are dependent events, one event influences the probability of
another event. A dependent event is an event that relies on another event to
happen first. Dependent events in probability are no different from dependent
events in real-life: If you want to attend a concert, it might depend on whether
you have money or not. If you want to have high grades, it will depend on your
hard work and perseverance.

More formally, we say that when two events are dependent, the occurrence of
one event influences the probability of another event.
 The Difference Between Independent and
Dependent Events.

We call two events A and B an independent events if the

occurrence of event A does not affect the probability of
event B while dependent events are events which the
occurrence of event A affect the probability of event B.
Is it possible for the events NO Dependent
to happen in any order?
YES

Does one event in any way

affect the outcome (or the NO Independent
odds) of the other event
YES

Dependent
 Examples of Independent Events
1. Getting a head on a coin toss “and” landing on a 5 on a fair
die.
2. Choosing a queen from a standard deck of cards, then putting
it back on the deck “and” choosing a king.
3. In a fair die, landing on a 6 on the first roll “and” a 3 on the
second roll.
 Examples of Dependent Events

1. Robbing a bank and going to jail.

2. Driving a car and getting in a car accident
3. Buying lottery tickets and winning a lottery
 How to find the Probability of Independent
Events.

The probability of independent events A and B is given by

Pr(A∩B) = Pr(A) • Pr(B)
 How to find the Probability of Independent
Events.
To find the probability of independent events, follow these three
(3) steps;
1. Identify the events/given.
2. Identify the formula.
3. Perform the indicated operation.
 How to find the Probability of Independent Events.

Sample Problem No. 1

Find the probability of getting a head and a tail when the coin is tossed twice.
Given: PrA(head) = ½
PrB(tail) =½
Formula: Pr(A∩B) = Pr(A) • Pr(B)
Solution:
Pr(A∩B) = Pr(A) • Pr(B)
=½•½
=¼
Answer: Therefore, the probability of getting a head and a tail when the coins is tossed twice is
1/4
 How to find the Probability of Independent Events.

Sample Problem No. 2

Find the probability of getting a head and getting a 4 when tossing a coin and a fair die.
Given: PrA(head) = ½
PrB(getting a 4) =
Formula: Pr(A∩B) = Pr(A) • Pr(B)
•
Solution:
 
Pr(A∩B) = Pr(A) • Pr(B)
=½•
=
Answer: Therefore, the probability of getting a head and a 4 when the coins and a fair die are
tossed is .
 How to find the Probability of Dependent
Events.

If A and B are dependent events, then the probability of both

occurring is
P(B|A) = P(A∩B)/P(A)

Probability of B given A
 How to find the Probability of Dependent
Events.
• To find the probability of dependent, follow these three steps:
1.Figure out P(A)
2. Figure out P(A∩B)
3. Insert your answers into the formula.
 How to find the Probability of Dependent
Events.
• Step by Step, here’s how to derive the conditional probability equation from the multpilication rule.
Step 1: Write out multiplication rule:
P(A∩B) = P(A) • P(B|A)
Step 2. Divide both sides of the equation by P(A):
P(A∩B)/P(A) = P(A) • P(B|A)/P(A)
Step 3. Cancel P(A) on the right side of the equation:
P(A∩B)/P(A) = P(B|A)
Step 4. Rewrite the equation:
P(B|A) = P(A∩B)/P(A)
 How to find the Probability of Dependent Events.
Sample problem No. 1
In a group of 100 sports car buyer. 40 bought alarm systems, 30 purchased bucket seats, and 20 purchased
an alarm system and a bucket seats. If a car buyer chosen at random bought an alarm system. What is the
probability they also bought bucket seats?
Step 1. Figure out P(A)
It’s given in the question as 40%, or 0.4
Step 2. Figure out P(A∩B. This is the intersection of A and B. Both happening together. It’s given in the
question 20 out of 100 buyers or 0.2
Step 3. Insert your answers into the formula:
P(B|A) = P(A∩B)/P(A)
= 0.2/0.4
= 0.5
Answer: Therefore, the probability that a random car buyer who bought an alarm system has 0.5 that they also
bought a bucket seats.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
-Philippians 4:13