This book explores four real-world topics through the lens of probability theory. It can be used to supplement a standard text in probability or statistics. Most elementary textbooks present the basic theory and then illustrate the ideas with some neatly packaged examples. Here the authors assume that the reader has seen, or is learning, the basic theory from another book and concentrate in some depth on the following topics: streaks, the stock market, lotteries, and fingerprints. This extended format allows the authors to present multiple approaches to problems and to pursue promising side discussions in ways that would not be possible in a book constrained to cover a fixed set of topics. To keep the main narrative accessible, the authors have placed the more technical mathematical details in appendices. The appendices can be understood by someone who has taken one or two semesters of calculus.

Contemplating the randomness of nature, Ekeland extends his consideration of the catastrophe theory of the universe begun in Mathematics and the Unexpected, drawing upon rich literary sources and current topics in math and physics such as chaos theory, information theory, and particle physics. Line drawings.

We all lose time and money because of bad decisions, perfectly happy in the illusion that our common sense is choosing the right path for us. In Conned Again, Watson! Sherlock Holmes uses his vast knowledge solve crimes and protect the innocent in a series of cautionary tales of greedy gamblers, reckless businessmen and ruthless conmen. From 'The Execution of Andrews' to 'The Case of the Gambling Nobleman' and 'The Case of the Paranoid Student', there has never been a more exciting way to learn when to take a calculated risk - and how to spot a scam. In this illuminating collection of twelve new Sherlock Holmes stories, challenges of logic, probability, statistics, game theory and more are illustrated. A thought-provoking introduction to maths relevant to everyday life, this book will change the way you look at making decisions.

This classroom-tested textbook is an introduction to probability theory, with the right balance between mathematical precision, probabilistic intuition, and concrete applications. Introduction to Probability covers the material precisely, while avoiding excessive technical details. After introducing the basic vocabulary of randomness, including events, probabilities, and random variables, the text offers the reader a first glimpse of the major theorems of the subject: the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem. The important probability distributions are introduced organically as they arise from applications. The discrete and continuous sides of probability are treated together to emphasize their similarities. Intended for students with a calculus background, the text teaches not only the nuts and bolts of probability theory and how to solve specific problems, but also why the methods of solution work.

Roulette wheels and the plague -- Surely something's wrong with you -- The life table : you can bet on it! -- The rarest events -- The waiting game -- Stockbrokers and climate change.

A self-study guide for practicing engineers, scientists, and students, this book offers practical, worked-out examples on continuous and discrete probability for problem-solving courses. It is filled with handy diagrams, examples, and solutions that greatly aid in the comprehension of a variety of probability problems.

How many different ice-cream sundaes can you make? With 6 ingredients to choose from, there are so many combinations. Read all about the sundaes they're making at the school picnic. Math has never been so delicious!