How can the same equality be rearranged into both forms of Bayes' theorem?
Conditions
- Both A and B have positive probability for the ordinary conditionals used here.
- The algebraic rearrangement requires the denominators and to be nonzero.
Reasoning, step by step
- Write down the equality of the two joint-probability decompositions: (B|A) = (A|B).
- To find P(A|B), divide both sides of the equation by .
- Simplify to get P(A|B) = (B|A)/P(B).
- To find P(B|A), divide both sides of the original equation by .
- Simplify to get P(B|A) = (A|B)/P(A).
Example
The video displays the equality chain (A|B) = P(A and B) = (B|A), then rearranges it first to P(A|B) = (B|A)/P(B) and then to (A|B)/P(A) = P(B|A).
Common misconceptions
- Overlooking the need for nonzero denominators in the rearranged formulas; the clip displays the divisions but does not explicitly state this condition aloud.
Watch the explanation
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Answers are generated from source material and independently checked. Consult the original video or creator if something is unclear.