Probability and Statistics: The Science of UncertaintyProbability and Statistics provides a detailed look at the many aspects of this branch of mathematical investigation. Covering everything from ancient games of chance played around the world and the theories of Fermat and Pascal to phrenology, the specious use of statistics, and statistical methods to stop epidemics, this book offers a comprehensive look at the historical development and uses of probability and statistics. Modern applications of these ideas, the use of probability in modern safety analysis and phone networks, and the use of statistics in epidemiology and actuarial science are also presented in this clearly written and illustrated reference. |
Contents
The Idea of Randomness | 3 |
The Nature of Chance | 15 |
Surprising Insights Into Probability and Its Uses | 45 |
Randomness in a Deterministic Universe | 64 |
Random Processes | 75 |
Probability as a Mathematical Discipline | 87 |
Three Applications of the Theory of Probability | 101 |
Statistics | 111 |
Data Analysis and the Problem of Precision | 130 |
The Birth of Modern Statistics | 136 |
The Theory of Sampling | 150 |
Three Applications of Statistics | 165 |
Chronology | 183 |
Glossary | 200 |
Further Reading | 203 |
215 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
analysis applications attempt become began begins Bernoulli branch British calculations called cause census century chance cholera collected concept considered contains continued contributions course curve death described determine developed dice discovered discovery disease early effect event example experiments expressed fact Fermat field French geometry given Halley ideas important individual insight interest involved known Laplace later least less letter lived manufacturing Markov mathe mathematician mathematics mean measurements method mortality motion nature observations obtained occur outcomes Pascal percent person physics Pierre de Fermat population possible predict probability theory problems publishes questions random reason recognized represent risk rolling sample scientists shows simple smallpox sometimes statistics theorem theory of probability thinking throw tion understand United University variation variolation