Question:medium

If \(P(A) = 0.25\), \(P(B|A) = 0.5\), \(P(B|\bar{A}) = 0.75\) then \(P(A|B)\) is ______.

Show Hint

First find \(P(\bar{A})\) and use the law of total probability to get \(P(B)\), then apply \(P(A|B) = \frac{P(B|A)P(A)}{P(B)}\).
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • \(\dfrac{1}{2}\)
  • \(\dfrac{1}{3}\)
  • \(\dfrac{3}{8}\)
  • \(\dfrac{2}{11}\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Convert every probability to a simple fraction first: $P(A) = \frac{1}{4}$, so $P(\bar{A}) = \frac{3}{4}$. Also $P(B|A) = \frac{1}{2}$ and $P(B|\bar{A}) = \frac{3}{4}$.
Step 2: Build a joint probability table using multiplication: $$P(A \cap B) = P(B|A)P(A) = \frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{8}$$ $$P(\bar{A} \cap B) = P(B|\bar{A})P(\bar{A}) = \frac{3}{4}\times\frac{3}{4} = \frac{9}{16}$$
Step 3: Add these two joint probabilities (since $A$ and $\bar{A}$ partition the sample space) to get the total probability of $B$: $$P(B) = \frac{1}{8} + \frac{9}{16} = \frac{2}{16} + \frac{9}{16} = \frac{11}{16}$$
Step 4: By definition of conditional probability, $$P(A|B) = \frac{P(A \cap B)}{P(B)} = \frac{1/8}{11/16} = \frac{1}{8}\times\frac{16}{11} = \frac{16}{88} = \frac{2}{11}$$
Both routes (decimals or fractions) agree.
\[\boxed{P(A|B) = \frac{2}{11}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0