Bayes Theorem
Conditional Probability for
CAT
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Theory
Conditional probability is used in case of events which are not independent. In
the discussion of probabilities all events can be classified into 2 categories:
Dependent and Independent.
Independent events are those where the happening of one event does not affect
the happening of the other. For example, if an unbiased coin is thrown ‘n’ times
then the probability of head turning up in any of the attempts will be 1/2. It will
not be dependent on the results of the previous outcomes.
Dependent events, on the other hand, are the events in which the outcome of the
second event is dependent on the outcome of the first event.
For example, if you have to draw two cards from a deck one after the other, then
the probability of second card being of a particular suit will depend on the which
card was drawn in the first attempt.
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Theory
Let us first discuss the definition of conditional probability.
Let ‘A’ and ‘B’ be two events which are not independent then the probability
of occurrence of B given that A has already occurred is given by
P(A∩B)
P(B|A) =
P(A)
Here, 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) is nothing but the probability of occurrence of both A and B.
We often use Bayes theorem to solve problems on conditional probability.
Bayes theorem is defined as follows
P(A|B)∗P(B)
P(B|A) =
P(A)
Here, P(A|B) is the probability of occurrence of A given that B has already
occurred.
P(A) is the probability of occurrence of A
P(B) is the probability of occurrence of B
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Example-1
Let us try to understand the application of the conditional probability and
Bayes theorem with the help of few examples.
Ravi draws two cards from a deck of 52 cards one after another. If it is known
that the first card was king then what is the probability of second card being
‘spades’?
Let us use the conditional probability concept which we discussed above.
Let ‘A’ be the event of getting a king. Then P(A) = 4/52 = 1/13
Let ‘B’ be the event of getting a spade. Then P(B) = 13/52 = 1/4
Now we know that one of the spade cards is also a king. Hence, the event
𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) contains 1 element.
Thus, 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = 1/52
Hence, by using the formula for conditional probability, we get
1
𝑃(𝐴∩𝐵) 52
P(B|A) = = 1 =¼
𝑃(𝐴)
13
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Example-2
Let us consider another problem to get a better understanding of conditional
probability.
Ram plays a game of Russian roulette. He loads 2 bullets in the adjacent slots
of a six slot revolver. He revolves the cylinder and then pulls the trigger.
Luckily, it is an empty slot. Ram has an option either to pull the trigger again
or to spin the cylinder first and then pull the trigger. What must Ram choose
to maximize his chances of survival?
Let us number the slots as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Let us assume that slots 1 and 2
contain the bullets. The various combinations when the trigger is pressed
continuously are (1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5), (5,6) and (6,1).
P (A∩B)
We know that P(B|A) =
P(A)
Here, P(A∩B) represents the probability in which both A and B are empty
slots and p(A) represents the probability that A is an empty slot. Among the 6
combinations mentioned above, 3 combinations ((3,4), (4,5) and (5,6)) have
both the slots empty. Therefore, n(A∩B) = 3 and p(A∩B) = 3/6.
P(A) represents the probability of the first slot being empty. The empty slot
can be one among 3, 4, 5 or 6. Therefore, n(A) = 4 and p(A∩B) = 4/6.
3/6 3
P(B|A) = = 4 = 75%.
4/6
If Ram prefers to spin the cylinder, he has P(A) chances of survival (Choosing
an empty slot among the given slots).
=> P(A) = 4/6 = 66.66%. Hence, Ram must prefer to press the trigger
immediately without revolving the cylinder as chances of survival will be
more.
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Example-3
Let us now have a look at very famous problem on conditional probability.
This is known as the Monty Hall problem.
There is a game show in which there are three doors. There is a car behind one
door and there is nothing behind the other two doors. After you pick a door, the
host opens one of the other two doors and shows you that it is empty. Now, he
gives you two options – either stick with your initial selection or switch to the
other door. What is the optimal strategy that should be followed? Will you
switch or remain with the same door?
(The host knows which door has a car behind it.)
To find the optimal strategy let’s compute the probability of wining in the
both events.
Without the loss of generality, let’s assume that the contestant has picked the
door one.
Let W1, W2, W3 be the events that the car is behind door 1, 2, 3 respectively.
1
Hence, p(W1) = p(W2) = p(W3) =
3
Let A, B and C be the events that the host opens doors 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Now,
The probability that the host opens the third door provided the car is in the
second door.
p(C|W2) = 1
The probability that the host opens the third door provided the car is in the
third door is
p(C|W3) = 0
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The probability that the host opens the third door provided the car is in the first
door.
P(c|W1) = ½
Now let’s use Baye’s theorem
Chances of winning by not switching
1 1
P(C|W1) ∗ P(W1) (2)∗(3) 1
P(W1|C) = = 1 =
P(C) ( ) 3
2
Chances of winning by switching
1
p(C|W2)∗P(W2) 1∗(3) 2
P(W2|C) = = 1 =
P(C) (2) 3
Therefore, it is always optimal to switch.
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