Mutually Exclusive | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Mutually exclusive is a phrase that describes two things as incompatible. Any scenarios described as “mutually exclusive” cannot happen simultaneously. For example, a student’s goals to pass an exam and not take the exam at all are mutually exclusive because both cannot occur at the same time.
We discovered that the proposals are mutually exclusive; we can only implement one of them, not both.
I learned the hard way that going to sleep late and waking up early are mutually exclusive habits because I couldn’t do both for a prolonged period of time.
Mutually exclusive meaning
In everyday language, the phrase “mutually exclusive” functions as an adjective and describes two things that cannot coexist. For example, being healthy and eating a diet consisting of only junk food are mutually exclusive because both cannot happen at the same time.
A few more examples of scenarios that are mutually exclusive include:
- Staying home and going to a party on the same evening are mutually exclusive choices because you can’t be in two places at once.
- Saving money and spending all your income on travel are mutually exclusive goals because doing one prevents the other.
- Passing an exam or failing it are mutually exclusive results because it’s impossible to do both at the same time.
I explained to my son that the success of one team is mutually exclusive with the success of another, as only one team can win the championship.
Pursuing a doctorate’s degree and working full-time are mutually exclusive options because the school does not allow students to work.
Not mutually exclusive meaning
Any scenarios or events that are described as “not mutually exclusive” are compatible; they can happen at the same time. For example, becoming the spelling bee champion and also attaining a black belt in karate are not mutually exclusive. It may take hard work and effort, but it’s possible to achieve both.
Some scientists argue that science and religion are not mutually exclusive; they can follow the principles of science while also being religious.
I explained to my clients that their goals of getting their dream house and staying within budget are not mutually exclusive if we’re patient and strategic.
Mutually exclusive probability
“Mutually exclusive” is also often used in the world of logic and probability to describe events or propositions that cannot possibly occur at the same time. For example, if a coin is flipped, the outcomes of landing on heads or tails are mutually exclusive because both cannot happen simultaneously.
Here are a few more examples of mutually exclusive events:
- When drawing a single card from a deck, drawing a heart and a diamond are mutually exclusive events because a single card cannot be both a heart and diamond.
- When rolling a die, landing on a six and a four are mutually exclusive because the die can only show one number at a time.
- In a race, winning first place and second place are mutually exclusive results because participants can only achieve one of these positions at a time.
Frequently asked questions about mutually exclusive
- What is mutually exclusive probability?
-
A mutually exclusive probability describes events that cannot happen simultaneously. For example, when rolling a six-sided die, rolling a three and a five are mutually exclusive because it is impossible to roll both numbers at the same time.
- What does non mutually exclusive mean?
-
“Non-mutually exclusive” is synonymous with describing two outcomes as “not mutually exclusive,” meaning they can both occur at the same time.
