a rule stating that the joint probability of two independent events occurring together or in succession is equal to the probability of the first event times the probability of the second event. For example, the multiplication rule would indicate that the probability of drawing a heart followed by the probability of drawing a spade is equal to 13/52 × 13/52 = .25 × .25 = .0625. Also called and rule; multiplication law; multiplicative law. Compare addition rule.