A can solve 90% of problems: P(A solves)=0.90
B can solve 70% of problems: P(B solves)=0.70
A problem is randomly selected from the book.
The problem is solved if at least one of them (A or B or both) can solve it.
For the probability that A or B solves the problem:
P(A or B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A and B)
The overlap P(A and B) is subtracted to avoid double counting cases where both solve it.
Since A and B work independently:
P(Both solve)=P(A)×P(B)
P(Both solve)=0.90×0.70
P(Both solve)=0.63
The probability that the problem is solved:
P(Problem is solved)=P(A)+P(B)−P(Both)
P(Problem is solved)=0.90+0.70−0.63
P(Problem is solved)=1.60−0.63
P(Problem is solved)=0.97
Therefore, the probability that the problem is solved is 0.97.