Question

A group of consumers were asked whether they preferred Brand A or Brand B.

Answer 1

Being male and preferring brand A are independent.

Because: if independent then P(male and brand A) = P(male) P(brand A) = 0.48 * 0.75 = 0.36 and that is true (= value in the table)  

P(male|brand A)=0.36/0.75=0.48 = P(male)

So the two answers are:

(1) "independent"

(2) =