Answer:
The total number of ways to complete the task is (m + n) ways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exclusive alternatives A or B implies that only one of the two can be fulfilled.
That is, either alternative A or B can be carried out, not both.
n (A and B) = 0
The number of ways of doing the task if alternative A is selected is m ways.
The number of ways of doing the task if alternative B is selected is n ways.
As the alternatives A and B are exclusive the number of ways to complete the task is:
Number of ways to complete the task = n (A) + n (B) - n (A and B)
= m + n - 0
= m + n
Thus, the total number of ways to complete the task is (m + n) ways.