# 4.  Three coins are tossed once. Let A denote the event ‘three heads show”, B denote the event “two heads and one tail show”, C denote the event” three tails show and D denote the event ‘a head shows on the first coin”. Which events are (i)  mutually exclusive?

Answers (1)
H Harsh Kankaria

Sample space when three coins are tossed = [Sample space when a coin is tossed thrice!]

S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, TTH, THT, TTT}

Now,

A = Event that three heads show up = {HHH}

B = Event that two heads and one tail show up = {HHT, HTH, THH}

C = Event that three tails show up = {TTT}

D = Event that a head shows on the first coin = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT}

(i).  For two elements X and Y to be mutually exclusive,  X $\cap$ Y = $\phi$

$\cap$ B = {HHH} $\cap$ {HHT, HTH, THH} = $\phi$ ; Hence A and B are mutually exclusive.

$\cap$ C = {HHT, HTH, THH} $\cap$ {TTT} = $\phi$ ; Hence B and C are mutually exclusive.

$\cap$ D = {TTT} $\cap$ {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT} = $\phi$ ; Hence C and D are mutually exclusive.

$\cap$ A = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT} $\cap$ {HHH} = {HHH} ; Hence D and A are not mutually exclusive.

$\cap$ C = {HHH} $\cap$ {TTT} = $\phi$ ; Hence A and C are mutually exclusive.

$\cap$ D = {HHT, HTH, THH} $\cap$ {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT} = {HHT, HTH}  ; Hence B and D are not mutually exclusive.

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