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The probabilities that a husband and wife will be alive in 15 years time are…

The probabilities that a husband and wife will be alive in 15 years time are m and n respectively. Find the probability that only one of them will be alive at that time.

  • A.
    mn
  • B.
    m + n
  • C.
    m + n – 2mn
  • D.
    1 – mn
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation

P(only one alive) = P(husband and not wife) + P(wife and not husband)

= m (1 – n) + n ( 1 – m)

= m – mn + n – mn

= m + n – 2mn