Statistical Independence
Events and are defined to be statistically independent if:
- .
That is, the occurrence of does not affect the probability of, and vice versa. Although the derived forms may seem more intuitive, they are not the preferred definition as the conditional probabilities may be undefined if or are 0, and the preferred definition is symmetrical in and .
Read more about this topic: Conditional Probability
Famous quotes containing the word independence:
“Children are as destined biologically to break away as we are, emotionally, to hold on and protect. But thinking independently comes of acting independently. It begins with a two-year-old doggedly pulling on flannel pajamas during a July heat wave and with parents accepting that the impulse is a good one. When we let go of these small tasks without anger or sorrow but with pleasure and pride we give each act of independence our blessing.”
—Cathy Rindner Tempelsman (20th century)