Question

An experiment has the four possible mutually exclusive and exhaustive outcomes A, B, C, and D. Check whether the following assignments of probability are permissible.

P(A) = `2/5`, P(B) = `3/5`, P(C) = `- 1/5`, P(D) = `1/5`

Answer 1

When A, B, C, D are the possible exclusive and exhaustive events the P(A) + P(B) + P(C) + P(D) = 1.

P(A) = `2/5`, P(B) = `3/5`, P(C) = `- 1/5`, P(D) = `1/5`

P(C) = `- 1/5` which is not possible

(i.e.) for any event A, (0 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1)

∴ The assignment of probability is not permissible.