What defines mutually exclusive events?

Mutually exclusive events are defined as two events that cannot occur simultaneously. This means that the occurrence of one event rules out the possibility of the other event happening at the same time. For example, if you flip a coin, the outcomes of getting heads and tails are mutually exclusive; if the coin lands on heads, it cannot also land on tails. This concept is essential in probability because it helps determine the possible outcomes in various experiments and events.

Understanding mutually exclusive events helps in calculating probabilities correctly, as you must take into account that in such scenarios, the total probability of either event happening is the sum of their individual probabilities. The other types of events, such as those that can occur separately or influence each other, do not align with the definition of mutual exclusivity, as their occurrences do not directly negate each other.