Overview

Probability theory tells us how likely it is that an event will occur. Statistics tell us, among other things, how likely it is that a particular set of data accurately reflects reality. The two fields are closely linked because statistical results indicate the probability that our data is accurate. Both have had a profound impact on society, influencing such diverse ventures as quantum mechanics, the gambling industry, insurance, and the space shuttle.

Background

Games of chance date to early in human history, and include dice, cards, and other diversions that produce random results. If played fairly, all players have an equal chance of winning. These games inspired the first mathematical investigations into probability because mathematicians wondered if a deeper mathematical truth lay behind random events and, if so, if patterns in such events could be...