The probability of Bus A arriving before Bus B












1












$begingroup$


Bus A arrives at a random time between 2pm and 4pm, and Bus B arrives at a random time between 3pm and 5pm. What are the odds that Bus A arrives before Bus B?



My understanding is that since Bus B cannot possibly arrive between 2 and 3, we can only talk about the time between 3 and 4 pm, when there is an equal probability for both buses arriving. But in this case, the probability of Bus A arriving before B is 50%. No? What am I missing here? Or I should look at the entire timeline, 2 pm - 5 pm? But then in this case, it is still 50%. Where is my thinking wrong?










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$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
    $endgroup$
    – Vimath
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    58 mins ago
















1












$begingroup$


Bus A arrives at a random time between 2pm and 4pm, and Bus B arrives at a random time between 3pm and 5pm. What are the odds that Bus A arrives before Bus B?



My understanding is that since Bus B cannot possibly arrive between 2 and 3, we can only talk about the time between 3 and 4 pm, when there is an equal probability for both buses arriving. But in this case, the probability of Bus A arriving before B is 50%. No? What am I missing here? Or I should look at the entire timeline, 2 pm - 5 pm? But then in this case, it is still 50%. Where is my thinking wrong?










share|cite|improve this question









New contributor




IrinaS is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
    $endgroup$
    – Vimath
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    58 mins ago














1












1








1





$begingroup$


Bus A arrives at a random time between 2pm and 4pm, and Bus B arrives at a random time between 3pm and 5pm. What are the odds that Bus A arrives before Bus B?



My understanding is that since Bus B cannot possibly arrive between 2 and 3, we can only talk about the time between 3 and 4 pm, when there is an equal probability for both buses arriving. But in this case, the probability of Bus A arriving before B is 50%. No? What am I missing here? Or I should look at the entire timeline, 2 pm - 5 pm? But then in this case, it is still 50%. Where is my thinking wrong?










share|cite|improve this question









New contributor




IrinaS is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




Bus A arrives at a random time between 2pm and 4pm, and Bus B arrives at a random time between 3pm and 5pm. What are the odds that Bus A arrives before Bus B?



My understanding is that since Bus B cannot possibly arrive between 2 and 3, we can only talk about the time between 3 and 4 pm, when there is an equal probability for both buses arriving. But in this case, the probability of Bus A arriving before B is 50%. No? What am I missing here? Or I should look at the entire timeline, 2 pm - 5 pm? But then in this case, it is still 50%. Where is my thinking wrong?







probability






share|cite|improve this question









New contributor




IrinaS is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|cite|improve this question









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IrinaS is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago







IrinaS













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asked 2 hours ago









IrinaSIrinaS

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IrinaS is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • $begingroup$
    Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
    $endgroup$
    – Vimath
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    58 mins ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
    $endgroup$
    – Vimath
    1 hour ago










  • $begingroup$
    Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    58 mins ago
















$begingroup$
Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
$endgroup$
– Vimath
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
Using conditional probability I think it must be. $P(A/B')$ proceeding from here gives us ans $1/22$ is it correct?
$endgroup$
– Vimath
1 hour ago












$begingroup$
Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
$endgroup$
– IrinaS
58 mins ago




$begingroup$
Yes, the arrival of buses is independent events.
$endgroup$
– IrinaS
58 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















3












$begingroup$

Let $A_e$ ($A$ early) be the event that $A$ arrives before $3$pm.



Let $B_ell$ be the event that $B$ arrives after $4$pm.



Let $C$ be the union : $C=A_e cup B_ell$.



Let $X$ be the event of interest ( $A$ arrives before $B$).



What we know (don't we?) that is $P(X | C)=1$ and $P(X | overline{C})=0.5$



Then we can write (total probability) $$P(X) = P(X cap C) + P(X capoverline{C})=P(X | C) P(C) + P(X mid overline{C})P(overline{C})$$



Can you go on from here ?






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    17 mins ago





















1












$begingroup$

Guide:



1) Draw rectangle $2le xle 4, 3le yle 5$, square $2le xle 3, 2le yle 3$ and line $y=x$.



2) The total area of the rectangle and square is $5$, so pdf is $1/5$.



3) Find total area of the square and rectangle above the line, which is $4.5$.



5) Finally, the required probability is $4.5cdot 1/5=9/10$.



Here is the graph:



$hspace{2cm}$enter image description here



Bus $A$ arriving before bus $B$:
$$A(2.5,4.5), B(3.5,4.5), C(2.5,3.5), D(3.4, 3.7), F(2.3,-), G(2.7,-).$$
Bus $A$ arriving after bus $B$:
$$E(3.7,3.3).$$






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    28 mins ago



















0












$begingroup$

First, I’ll assume that the probability distribution of each bus’s arrival time is uniform in its range and independent. I think that’s implicit in the question but you don’t actually say so.



You’re mistaken when you say that if you know Bus A is arriving between $3$ and $4$, then there is an equal probability of either bus arriving first. There is a $50$% probability that Bus B arrives after $4$. The probabilities are equal only if you know that Bus A arrives between $3$ and $4$ and also that Bus B arrives between $3$ and $4$. That parlay occurs only $25$% of the time.



So $75$% of the time, you know that Bus A arrives first, and Bus A still arrives first half of the remaining $25$% of the time. Thus, the probability that Bus A arrives first is $87.5$%.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$













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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3












    $begingroup$

    Let $A_e$ ($A$ early) be the event that $A$ arrives before $3$pm.



    Let $B_ell$ be the event that $B$ arrives after $4$pm.



    Let $C$ be the union : $C=A_e cup B_ell$.



    Let $X$ be the event of interest ( $A$ arrives before $B$).



    What we know (don't we?) that is $P(X | C)=1$ and $P(X | overline{C})=0.5$



    Then we can write (total probability) $$P(X) = P(X cap C) + P(X capoverline{C})=P(X | C) P(C) + P(X mid overline{C})P(overline{C})$$



    Can you go on from here ?






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      17 mins ago


















    3












    $begingroup$

    Let $A_e$ ($A$ early) be the event that $A$ arrives before $3$pm.



    Let $B_ell$ be the event that $B$ arrives after $4$pm.



    Let $C$ be the union : $C=A_e cup B_ell$.



    Let $X$ be the event of interest ( $A$ arrives before $B$).



    What we know (don't we?) that is $P(X | C)=1$ and $P(X | overline{C})=0.5$



    Then we can write (total probability) $$P(X) = P(X cap C) + P(X capoverline{C})=P(X | C) P(C) + P(X mid overline{C})P(overline{C})$$



    Can you go on from here ?






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      17 mins ago
















    3












    3








    3





    $begingroup$

    Let $A_e$ ($A$ early) be the event that $A$ arrives before $3$pm.



    Let $B_ell$ be the event that $B$ arrives after $4$pm.



    Let $C$ be the union : $C=A_e cup B_ell$.



    Let $X$ be the event of interest ( $A$ arrives before $B$).



    What we know (don't we?) that is $P(X | C)=1$ and $P(X | overline{C})=0.5$



    Then we can write (total probability) $$P(X) = P(X cap C) + P(X capoverline{C})=P(X | C) P(C) + P(X mid overline{C})P(overline{C})$$



    Can you go on from here ?






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$



    Let $A_e$ ($A$ early) be the event that $A$ arrives before $3$pm.



    Let $B_ell$ be the event that $B$ arrives after $4$pm.



    Let $C$ be the union : $C=A_e cup B_ell$.



    Let $X$ be the event of interest ( $A$ arrives before $B$).



    What we know (don't we?) that is $P(X | C)=1$ and $P(X | overline{C})=0.5$



    Then we can write (total probability) $$P(X) = P(X cap C) + P(X capoverline{C})=P(X | C) P(C) + P(X mid overline{C})P(overline{C})$$



    Can you go on from here ?







    share|cite|improve this answer












    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer










    answered 1 hour ago









    leonbloyleonbloy

    41.8k647108




    41.8k647108












    • $begingroup$
      Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      17 mins ago




















    • $begingroup$
      Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      17 mins ago


















    $begingroup$
    Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    17 mins ago






    $begingroup$
    Sorry for the question. I am confused with 𝑃(𝑋|𝐶)=1. Here is why - A has already arrived before 4 pm, before 𝐵ℓ happens, right? Yes, B can arrive after 4 pm, but it does not make any difference for the question we are asking which is - the probability of A arriving before B, before 4 pm, because A arrive between 2 and 4.
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    17 mins ago













    1












    $begingroup$

    Guide:



    1) Draw rectangle $2le xle 4, 3le yle 5$, square $2le xle 3, 2le yle 3$ and line $y=x$.



    2) The total area of the rectangle and square is $5$, so pdf is $1/5$.



    3) Find total area of the square and rectangle above the line, which is $4.5$.



    5) Finally, the required probability is $4.5cdot 1/5=9/10$.



    Here is the graph:



    $hspace{2cm}$enter image description here



    Bus $A$ arriving before bus $B$:
    $$A(2.5,4.5), B(3.5,4.5), C(2.5,3.5), D(3.4, 3.7), F(2.3,-), G(2.7,-).$$
    Bus $A$ arriving after bus $B$:
    $$E(3.7,3.3).$$






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      28 mins ago
















    1












    $begingroup$

    Guide:



    1) Draw rectangle $2le xle 4, 3le yle 5$, square $2le xle 3, 2le yle 3$ and line $y=x$.



    2) The total area of the rectangle and square is $5$, so pdf is $1/5$.



    3) Find total area of the square and rectangle above the line, which is $4.5$.



    5) Finally, the required probability is $4.5cdot 1/5=9/10$.



    Here is the graph:



    $hspace{2cm}$enter image description here



    Bus $A$ arriving before bus $B$:
    $$A(2.5,4.5), B(3.5,4.5), C(2.5,3.5), D(3.4, 3.7), F(2.3,-), G(2.7,-).$$
    Bus $A$ arriving after bus $B$:
    $$E(3.7,3.3).$$






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      28 mins ago














    1












    1








    1





    $begingroup$

    Guide:



    1) Draw rectangle $2le xle 4, 3le yle 5$, square $2le xle 3, 2le yle 3$ and line $y=x$.



    2) The total area of the rectangle and square is $5$, so pdf is $1/5$.



    3) Find total area of the square and rectangle above the line, which is $4.5$.



    5) Finally, the required probability is $4.5cdot 1/5=9/10$.



    Here is the graph:



    $hspace{2cm}$enter image description here



    Bus $A$ arriving before bus $B$:
    $$A(2.5,4.5), B(3.5,4.5), C(2.5,3.5), D(3.4, 3.7), F(2.3,-), G(2.7,-).$$
    Bus $A$ arriving after bus $B$:
    $$E(3.7,3.3).$$






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Guide:



    1) Draw rectangle $2le xle 4, 3le yle 5$, square $2le xle 3, 2le yle 3$ and line $y=x$.



    2) The total area of the rectangle and square is $5$, so pdf is $1/5$.



    3) Find total area of the square and rectangle above the line, which is $4.5$.



    5) Finally, the required probability is $4.5cdot 1/5=9/10$.



    Here is the graph:



    $hspace{2cm}$enter image description here



    Bus $A$ arriving before bus $B$:
    $$A(2.5,4.5), B(3.5,4.5), C(2.5,3.5), D(3.4, 3.7), F(2.3,-), G(2.7,-).$$
    Bus $A$ arriving after bus $B$:
    $$E(3.7,3.3).$$







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited 18 mins ago

























    answered 1 hour ago









    farruhotafarruhota

    21.4k2841




    21.4k2841












    • $begingroup$
      do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      28 mins ago


















    • $begingroup$
      do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
      $endgroup$
      – IrinaS
      28 mins ago
















    $begingroup$
    do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    28 mins ago




    $begingroup$
    do we need the area above the x=y line, or below the line? I believe - under the line. Can you please clarify?
    $endgroup$
    – IrinaS
    28 mins ago











    0












    $begingroup$

    First, I’ll assume that the probability distribution of each bus’s arrival time is uniform in its range and independent. I think that’s implicit in the question but you don’t actually say so.



    You’re mistaken when you say that if you know Bus A is arriving between $3$ and $4$, then there is an equal probability of either bus arriving first. There is a $50$% probability that Bus B arrives after $4$. The probabilities are equal only if you know that Bus A arrives between $3$ and $4$ and also that Bus B arrives between $3$ and $4$. That parlay occurs only $25$% of the time.



    So $75$% of the time, you know that Bus A arrives first, and Bus A still arrives first half of the remaining $25$% of the time. Thus, the probability that Bus A arrives first is $87.5$%.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$


















      0












      $begingroup$

      First, I’ll assume that the probability distribution of each bus’s arrival time is uniform in its range and independent. I think that’s implicit in the question but you don’t actually say so.



      You’re mistaken when you say that if you know Bus A is arriving between $3$ and $4$, then there is an equal probability of either bus arriving first. There is a $50$% probability that Bus B arrives after $4$. The probabilities are equal only if you know that Bus A arrives between $3$ and $4$ and also that Bus B arrives between $3$ and $4$. That parlay occurs only $25$% of the time.



      So $75$% of the time, you know that Bus A arrives first, and Bus A still arrives first half of the remaining $25$% of the time. Thus, the probability that Bus A arrives first is $87.5$%.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$
















        0












        0








        0





        $begingroup$

        First, I’ll assume that the probability distribution of each bus’s arrival time is uniform in its range and independent. I think that’s implicit in the question but you don’t actually say so.



        You’re mistaken when you say that if you know Bus A is arriving between $3$ and $4$, then there is an equal probability of either bus arriving first. There is a $50$% probability that Bus B arrives after $4$. The probabilities are equal only if you know that Bus A arrives between $3$ and $4$ and also that Bus B arrives between $3$ and $4$. That parlay occurs only $25$% of the time.



        So $75$% of the time, you know that Bus A arrives first, and Bus A still arrives first half of the remaining $25$% of the time. Thus, the probability that Bus A arrives first is $87.5$%.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        First, I’ll assume that the probability distribution of each bus’s arrival time is uniform in its range and independent. I think that’s implicit in the question but you don’t actually say so.



        You’re mistaken when you say that if you know Bus A is arriving between $3$ and $4$, then there is an equal probability of either bus arriving first. There is a $50$% probability that Bus B arrives after $4$. The probabilities are equal only if you know that Bus A arrives between $3$ and $4$ and also that Bus B arrives between $3$ and $4$. That parlay occurs only $25$% of the time.



        So $75$% of the time, you know that Bus A arrives first, and Bus A still arrives first half of the remaining $25$% of the time. Thus, the probability that Bus A arrives first is $87.5$%.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered 1 hour ago









        Robert ShoreRobert Shore

        3,410323




        3,410323






















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