When Events Don't Affect Each Other

Probability · Axiom Academy

INTRO When Events Don't Affect Each Other Explore the difference between independent and dependent events. Flip a coin multiple times. Does the first flip affect the second? Let's find out! Now let's try drawing cards from a deck WITHOUT putting them back. Does this change things? Side by Side: Independent vs Dependent Let's compare these two situations mathematically. Independence in the Real World Flipping a coin multiple times Two different people's heights Weather tomorrow in New York vs Tokyo Drawing cards without replacement Passing a test vs getting an A in the class Rain today vs rain tomorrow (same location) Traffic on your street vs nearby highway Just because two events are unrelated doesn't mean they're independent! Independence is a precise mathematical property: P(B | A) = P(B). Always check the math, not just your intuition.

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Probability course.