Skip to content

Bayes Theorem

You are currently viewing a sample of the Cram Kit. Click here to unlock everything.

Given a conditional probability of P(A | B), we could apply the Bayes Theorem with P(B | A). It's essentially the reverse of a conditional probability.

Scenario: Given the following probability tree, find the probability that a student did not wear a hat, given that they received a bid from Delta Apple Pi.

Our probability tree goes from "did / did not wear hat" ➡️ "received / did not receive bid"... not the other way around!

Event A = received a bid
Event B = did not wear a hat

P(B | A) = [P(A | B) x P(B)] / P(A)

P(B) = 0.60

P(A | B) = 0.20

P(A) = 0.30 + 0.12
P(A) = 0.42

P(B | A) = [0.20 x 0.60] / 0.42
P(B | A) = [0.12] / 0.42
P(B | A) = 0.29

Answer: Given that a student received a bid from Delta Apple Pi, the probability they did not wear a hat is 0.29.

With probability trees, it's hard to work backwards with conditional probabilities. The Bayes Theorem enables you to do that.

Activate AutoScroll