independent events and mutually exclusive events are same thing or not?

Question

phi · Answer

mutually exclusive tells you that if a happens then b does not.  That is not independent

anonymous · Answer

damn i always thought they are same ><

anonymous · Answer

hmmm.....independent events don't depend on prior or future ones and produce isolated outcomes. mutually exclusive is hinting at an inherent dependency.

mertsj · Answer

Mutually exclusive means that if one thing happens the other cannot.  Like a baby being a boy or a girl.  Independent means that the outcome of the one doesn't affect the other, not that it precludes the other from happening.

anonymous · Answer

yeah, the two are actually almost opposites