probability of mutually exclusive events

Probability of Mutually Exclusive Events

Learn how to identify mutually exclusive events, where only one outcome can happen at a time. Understand why the probabilities of an exhaustive set of events always add up to 1, and use the addition law to calculate the probability of events that cannot occur together.

Target Grade:

Lesson Overview

Probability of Mutually Exclusive Events

Ages 14-16

Learn how to identify mutually exclusive events, where only one outcome can happen at a time. Understand why the probabilities of an exhaustive set of events always add up to 1, and use the addition law to calculate the probability of events that cannot occur together.
probability of mutually exclusive events
Description

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. understand that two events are mutually exclusive if only one can happen in any given experiment;
  2. understand that the probabilities of an exhaustive set of mutually exclusive events add up to 1;
  3. and use the addition law in calculating the probability of mutually exclusive events.

Key Stage 4: Probability

  • Calculate the probability of independent and dependent combined events, including using tree diagrams and other representations, and know the underlying assumptions

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Last updated on: February 16, 2026

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