Problem Solving

BTGmoderatorRO wrote:The probability that event M will not occur is 0.8 and the probability that event R will not occur is 0.6. If events M and R cannot both occur, which of the following is the probability that either event M or event R will occur?

A) 1/5
B) 2/5
C) 3/5
D) 4/5
E) 12/25

OA is c

I solved this question twice and I got two answers, can someone confirm if it is C or A

We are given that the probability that event M will not occur is 0.8 and the probability that event R will not occur is 0.6, and that events M and R cannot both occur.

We need to determine the probability that either event M or event R will occur.

The probability that event M will occur is 1 - 0.8 = 0.2 = 1/5

The probability that event R will occur is 1 - 0.6 = 0.4 = 2/5

Recall that the formula for the probability of event A or event B occurring is P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B); therefore:

P(M or R) = P(M) + P(R) - P(M and R).

Since we are told that events M and R cannot both occur, that means P(M and R) = 0, and thus the probability that either event M or event R will occur is:

P(M or R) = 1/5 + 2/5 - 0 = 3/5.

Answer: C