Question: Is P(S and E) > P(M and G)?
(1) The probability that a randomly selected vehicle is either a minivan or runs on gasoline is 2/5.
This statement provides the probability of the union of two events: P(Minivan or Gasoline) = 2/5.
Let's consider the complement of this event. The only vehicles that are not (a minivan or running on gasoline) are those that are not a minivan AND not running on gasoline.
"Not a minivan" means it's a sedan.
"Not running on gasoline" means it runs on electricity.
So, the complement event is "a sedan running on electricity." The probability of this event, P(S and E), is:
P(S and E) = 1 - P(Minivan or Gasoline)
P(S and E) = 1 - 2/5 = 3/5
Now we know P(S and E) = 3/5. The question becomes: Is 3/5 > P(M and G)?
The probability P(M and G) must be less than or equal to the probability of the entire "Minivan or Gasoline" group, which is 2/5. So, P(M and G) ≤ 2/5.
Since 3/5 is definitively greater than any value that is less than or equal to 2/5, we can answer with a conclusive "Yes".
Therefore, statement (1) is sufficient.
(2) The probability that a randomly selected vehicle is either a sedan or runs on electricity is 5/8.
This statement provides P(Sedan or Electric) = 5/8.
Let's find the complement. The vehicles that are not (a sedan or running on electricity) are those that are not a sedan AND not running on electricity.
"Not a sedan" means it's a minivan.
"Not running on electricity" means it runs on gasoline.
So, the complement event is "a minivan running on gasoline." The probability of this event is:
P(M and G) = 1 - P(Sedan or Electric)
P(M and G) = 1 - 5/8 = 3/8
Now we know P(M and G) = 3/8. The question becomes: Is P(S and E) > 3/8?
This statement alone doesn't give us the exact value of P(S and E). It only tells us that P(S and E) is a part of the "Sedan or Electric" group, so P(S and E) ≤ 5/8.
Scenario A: It's possible that P(S and E) = 5/8. In this case, 5/8 > 3/8, and the answer is "Yes."
Scenario B: It's also possible that P(S and E) = 1/8. In this case, 1/8 is not greater than 3/8, and the answer is "No."
Since we can get both "Yes" and "No" answers, statement (2) is not sufficient.