Mutually exclusive and independence: Unraveling basic misconceptions in probability theory

Book: 
The Second International Conference on Teaching Statistics, 1986
Authors: 
Kelly, I. W., & Zwiers, F. W.
Editors: 
Davidson, R., & Swift, J.
Type: 
Proceedings
Category: 
Teaching
Pages: 
96-100
Year: 
1986
Publisher: 
The Second International Committee on Teaching Statistics
Place: 
Victoria, B.C.
Abstract: 

Two central concepts in probability theory are those of "independence" and of "mutually exclusive" events and their alternatives. In this article we provide for the instructor suggestions that an be used to equip students with an intuitive, comprehensive understanding of these basic concepts. Let us examine each of these concepts in turn along with common student misunderstandings.

The CAUSE Research Group is supported in part by a member initiative grant from the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics and Data Science Education