University Choices

Multiplicative Principle

As of right now, we got accepted to Carleton University and to Brock University. Kelvin received scholarship offers from the two universities, $12,000 from Carleton and $8,000 and an iPad from Brock. Cynthia only got a scholarship offer from Brock worth $750. LOL!!! The probability that Kelvin chooses Carleton is 5/8. The probability that he chooses Brock is 3/10. The probability that Cynthia chooses Carleton is 1/5. The probability that she chooses Brock is 3/4.

If Kelvin decides to go to Carleton, the probability that Cynthia will follow him is 7/10. If Cynthia decides to go to Brock, the probability that Kelvin will follow her is 3/5. Our parents prefer that we go to the same school but ultimately, we decide which school to go to. We tried to figure out what is the probability that we end up at the same school based on which school we prefer to go to.

Answer: Using multiplicative principle because we are determining the probability of event A and B occurring given that event A is chosen.

A = Kelvin going to Carleton

B = Cynthia going to Carleton

Probability that we attend Carleton:

P(A∩B) = P(B|A) * P(A)

              = 7/10 * 5/8

              = 7/16

C = Cynthia going to Brock

D = Kelvin going to Brock

Probability that we attend Brock:

P(C∩D) = P(D|C) * P(C)

              = 3/5 * 3/4

              = 9/20

 ∴ the probability both of us going to Carleton together is 7/16 and probability of us attending Brock is 9/20.