Product Description
Apply the principles of probability and statistics to realistic engineering problems


The easiest and most effective way to learn the principles of probabilistic modeling and statistical inference is to apply those principles to a variety of applications. That's why Ang and Tang's Second Edition of Probability Concepts in Engineering (previously titled Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design) explains concepts and methods using a wide range of problems related to engineering and the physical sciences, particularly civil and environmental engineering.


Now extensively revised with new illustrative problems and new and expanded topics, this Second Edition will help you develop a thorough understanding of probability and statistics and the ability to formulate and solve real-world problems in engineering. The authors present each basic principle using different examples, and give you the opportunity to enhance your understanding with practice problems. The text is ideally suited for students, as well as those wishing to learn and apply the principles and tools of statistics and probability through self-study.

Key Features in this 2nd Edition:
* A new chapter (Chapter 5) covers Computer-Based Numerical and Simulation Methods in Probability, to extend and expand the analytical methods to more complex engineering problems.
* New and expanded coverage includes distribution of extreme values (Chapter 3), the Anderson-Darling method for goodness-of-fit test (Chapter 6), hypothesis testing (Chapter 6), the determination of confidence intervals in linear regression (Chapter 8), and Bayesian regression and correlation analyses (Chapter 9).
* Many new exercise problems in each chapter help you develop a working knowledge of concepts and methods.
* Provides a wide variety of examples, including many new to this edition, to help you learn and understand specific concepts.
* Illustrates the formulation and solution of engineering-type probabilistic problems through computer-based methods, including developing computer codes using commercial software such as MATLAB and MATHCAD.
* Introduces and develops analytical probabilistic models and shows how to formulate engineering problems under uncertainty, and provides the fundamentals for quantitative risk assessment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Exactly what I wanted
This product was described exactly as it was.Good delivery time.Good seller.

Excellent book with real world examples
The authors use real world engineering examples to explain concept. This is an excellent book.

A very good textbook for Structural reliability starters!
My Structural reliability course use this book as textbook. The author of this book is very famous in this field, and I think this book would be a very good choice to start your study on reliability.

One of the most well written engineering texts
A great collection of both fundamental and advanced probability conceptsas applied to civil engineering design situations.This textbook was extremely useful during my undergraduate and graduate courses in probability as well as in more specialized courses in wind and seismic engineering.More importantly, I still find myself using this text now that I am out of college.

Wounderfully written textbook on a classic topic in engineering that will withstand the changes in technology and still prevail as some of the most important fundamentals in design methodology.

Indispensable Reference
An indispensable reference book, it provides a great balance of theory, worked examples, and exercises that thoroughly explain basic concepts of probability and risk as encountered in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The first edition has been within arm's reach on my book shelf for 30 years. I wish all my engineering texts were so well written. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Good book to learn the basic theory
This book is a recommended text for the SOA Exam P but it alone is not sufficient enough to practice for the exam. You can use this to understand the theory before moving on to a harder book such as the First Course in Probability, A (8th Edition) by Sheldon Ross. Exercises are too easy when compared with the real actuarial exam problems but may help to get the basic theory down. Overall, it is a good book to get started with.

Great book
This book in combination with the book Understanding Probability by Henk Tijms was of great help to me in passing my probability exams in my study of actarial sciences. Highly recommended!

Great for class
This book is very easy to learn from and moves slowly enough that it becomes easier to understand the concepts of probability.I would definitely recommend it to those in probability courses or studying for exam P of the actuary exams.

Excellent!!
I purchased this book (from a third party seller, Roy Mak) late last month to help prepare for the P1 exam. It arrived in less than four business days and was in excellent condition. It is very well-written and easy to read (quite an accomplishment for a book that deals with probability). Highly recommended!

Glad this is the one I bought to Study for P1
I just got this book last week, I had previously decided to find a cheaper statistics/probability book that was cheaper but I finally came to my senses and just got something that was recommended for the Actuary Exam. I am not that far into the book but I am seriously loving it. It's so easy to read, it doesn't feel at all like a text book! If you don't have strong statistics and probability background this is the book you need. The authors go things at a level that is really easy to understand! Loving this book! ... Read more

Product Description
The companion volume to Probability and Random Processes, 3rd Edition this book contains 1000+ exercises on the subjects of elelmentary aspects of probability and random variables, sampling, Markov chains, convergence, stationary processes, renewals, queues, Martingales, Diffusion, Mathematical finanace and the Black-Scholes model. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great, fast
I get the book soon even if I make a mistake for the address!

On balance, this is a great book
Grimmett & Stirzaker's book, *One Thousand Exercises in Probability, 2nd ed.,* contains exercises with answers/solutions to each and every exercise covering a wide range of topics from probability. Although this book is a companion to G & S's 3rd edition of *Probability and Random Processes,* the authors strove to make the *Exercises* book stand on its own.

The 2 previous reviewers took a widely different view of this book. I wanted to have a balanced approach to reviewing this book. I hope this helps.

-- This book has exercises that cover a wide range of topics in probability. It starts from basic issues in probability and eventually covers topics like queueing, Monte Carlo (& Markov Chain Monte Carlo), Ito's lemma & financial option valuation, etc. Any one vaguely interested in probability realizes that the topics covered by Grimmett & Stirzaker are *hot topics* and very useful to those who want to try to get a sense of how important probability theory is in real life. I can't think of a comparable book that is so ambitious and covers so much useful ground in one place. [At least not one with answers to every question.]

-- I am not personally familiar with Grimmett's work (I believe he is at Cambridge University). I am, however, familiar with Strizaker's work (he is at Oxford). I consider him to be one of the finest expositers of probability theory. Stirzaker's views on probability theory (which I read in a different work) is one of the most lucid and sensible I have ever come across. Anyone seriously interested in probability should try to get exposure to Stirzaker's thoughts on the matter.

-- I believe this book is GREAT for self-study. One of the major problems I have with many math, science, engineering, and other technical books is that -- even very good books -- do not provide answers/solutions to the questions they pose. As someone who is very interested in self-study, I find a book like this one -- which has the answers/solutions to ALL of the questons -- to be extremely refreshing and welcomed.

To address the prior criticism that this book does not contain a sufficient amount of detail in the solutions .... I would suggest that such a criticism is unfair. As I pointed out above (and most people know) it is very rare to have technical books like this where there are a great deal of interesting and useful exercises given plus answers/solutions to all of the questions posed. For 2 emminent Oxbridge dons to write such a book is even more exciting.

In all fairness, Grimmett & Stirzaker wrote this book with the intent that it be used along with an appropriate probability textbook(s). Any one willing to take the time to look at the solutions given along with a companion text should be able to work out what went wrong (or right) with any question that the reader attempts to work out.

In closing, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in going from a novice level at probability to a point where you can approach and solve useful problems in probability.

Well worth the effort
I appreciate the other reviewer's oppinion as it is indeed true
that some of the problems' solutions are succinct.

However it is clearly not the point of the set of books to provide
the reader with fully worked solutions to every problem. It is
often like this in maths, you just got to go for it, no matter.

If you kick off from the first chapter and attempt the problems
in increasing order of diffculty keeping the course book by your
side, you should be fine, really.

This course is very rewarding.

Lots of answers, not many solutions
This book was a big disappointment for me.I give it two stars for providing the answers to the problems.It would get much more if it actually provided adequate solutions to the problems.It is a good book if you know basically how to do the problems and just want to check answers.I guess I'm just stupid because I could use some guidance for starting and proceeding through the problems.The "solutions" often omit what I would deem to be crucial startup steps for many of the problems; without those critical steps, the "solution" that is given (which sometimes consists of nothing but the final answer) can be extremely difficult to comprehend.I had high hopes when I purchased this book; I thought it would be well worth my money to get solutions to the problems so I could figure out the errors in my reasoning.Unfortunately I was gravely mistaken.

Other reviews indicate that this is typical and I would agree, it's not written to those who need help but those who have a strong grasp on the topic.It doesn't matter to me who has written a book, if it's not helpful it's just not worth the money. ... Read more

Product Description
Many probability books are written by mathematicians and have the built in bias that the reader is assumed to be a mathematician coming to the material for its beauty. This textbook is geared towards beginning graduate students from a variety of disciplines whose primary focus is not necessarily mathematics for its own sake. Instead, A Probability Path is designed for those requiring a deep understanding of advanced probability for their research in statistics, applied probability, biology, operations research, mathematical finance, and engineering.

A one-semester course is laid out in an efficient and readable manner covering the core material. The first three chapters provide a functioning knowledge of measure theory. Chapter 4 discusses independence, with expectation and integration covered in Chapter 5, followed by topics on different modes of convergence, laws of large numbers with applications to statistics (quantile and distribution function estimation) and applied probability. Two subsequent chapters offer a careful treatment of convergence in distribution and the central limit theorem. The final chapter treats conditional expectation and martingales, closing with a discussion of two fundamental theorems of mathematical finance.

Like "Adventures in Stochastic Processes", Resnick's related and very successful textbook, A Probability Path is rich in appropriate examples, illustrations, and problems, and is suitable for classroom use or self-study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good book, lots of hand-waving
This is a good book for a theoretical, analysis-based look at probability measure theory. If you haven't had any measure theory or analysis before, you may find it a bit hard to read. There is a good deal of hand-waving in the book (more so than most other texts). If you're using this book for a course, I definitely recommend a supplemental analysis book.

Great book.
The book is very simple and easily understood. It is ideal for Engineers who are looking for an understanding of the basics of Probability theory.

A good choice for a first book on measure-theoretic probability.
There are more advanced texts out there, but this one can serve as a very good choice for a first time acquaintance with measure-theoretic probability. This is true even if you have never learned measure theory before.

excellent book
Gappy has gotten it right as he usually does.As a statistician who took courses in stochastic processes from Resnick at Stanford in the mid 1970s at the beginning of his career I know that he uses rigor guided by good intuition.That is the way he teaches and that is the way he writes.I have read most of the books he has written and always enjoy them and find something new in each one.

This book is written for graduate students so it is not a text that can be handled by people with very weak mathematical backgrounds.On the other hand advanced knowledge of probability theory is not needed as Resnick builds up the methods and tools to be mathematically rigorous and yet give those who are not strongly mathematically inclined a feel for probability.

A MUST-HAVE!!!
I'm a PhD student doing mostly computational mathematics and operation research. While I'm currently working in applied field, my background is in pure math, so I prefer a book that is both applied and rigorous. By "rigorous", I mean "sufficient mathematical justification" for the reader to understand the material at an advanced level. Hence, the interested reader can pursue the subject in a deeper level as he/she deems necessary. Resnick book is just excellent. It gives you just the right math and proofs that you need to know. Hard proofs, which is not reallynecessary for a good understanding of probability theory, are not given, only the results are stated - that saves the reader a lot of time and, of course, the unnecessary pain.

If you are a graduate student or researcher looking for an introductory book in Advance Probability Theory that gets you up to speed with some reasonable rigour but not sacrificing the necessary details, here is the book for you. Resnick has definitely nailed it! ... Read more

Product Description
Montgomery and Runger's bestselling engineering statistics text provides a practical approach oriented to engineering as well as chemical and physical sciences. By providing unique problem sets that reflect realistic situations, students learn how the material will be relevant in their careers. With a focus on how statistical tools are integrated into the engineering problem-solving process, all major aspects of engineering statistics are covered. Developed with sponsorship from the National Science Foundation, this text incorporates many insights from the authors' teaching experience along with feedback from numerous adopters of previous editions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Excellent and broad scope of work
I'm already a Mechanical Engineer with a Computer Science second degree. This work is in-depth and covers a broad spectrum for one to apply to their chosen vocations, even if it's just a portion of the design process in your field(s).

What I'm tired of reading is all the whining about this book having errors.

That's the job of the typesetter and editing staff to coordinate with the author to make sure they catch these errors before final printing.

Best of luck finding any work of fiction or non-fiction free of errors.

What I expected I also got. I expected a quality book. I expected to visit Wiley's web site which sent me to a companion web site to find the Errata, Solutions Errata and Data sets to the work. I got all of them.

Get off your duffs and add this to your following through and absorbing this broad and deep work.

This is a first rate book in it's area. Two thumbs up.

Great transaction!
I was surprised that the item arrived between 3-5 days after I ordered it! Thanks for a great service! The book arrived in excellent condition too!

It is good but has some mistake
Bcz it is my textbook, so I read it carefully. And I found that there are some mistakes here. When u learn this subject. U always have to check the value from the tables and charts in the back of the book. And u must check it carefully, bcz the text will miss leading you sometimes. Just take the equation 9-25 as an example, you should check the charts VIIG and VIIH, but not the VIG and VIH. Beside this kind of misstake, everything is fine

Statistics review
This text book had easy to understand formulas.Some short cuts were taken in the examples so if you have forgotten all your math tips, you may have to try twice to complete the problem.But this saves much needed space.The sample problems involved engineering problems, so it was easier to see relevance. I would skip the first chapter.

great.
Great price, good quality; it would be great if Beat the Bookstore sold used books such as this AT this price IN their store so that I don't have to get something shipped to my place when I can just walk over to the Old Cap. Mall... ... Read more

Product Description
This is the standard textbook for courses on probability and statistics, not substantially updated. While helping students to develop their problem-solving skills, the author motivates students with practical applications from various areas of ECE that demonstrate the relevance of probability theory to engineering practice. Included are chapter overviews,summaries, checklists of important terms, annotated references, and a wide selection of fully worked-out real-world examples. In this edition, the Computer Methods sections have been updated and substantially enhanced and new problems have been added. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Dreadful
I had the unfortunate experience of having an undergraduate class based on this book.
I found the explanations and theory for a book claiming to be "For Electrical Engineering" to be needlessly complex and outside of practical knowledge and I say this as a person who generally enjoys the theory of mathematics. Each section is punctuated with examples which were either exceedingly simple and of no use in aiding understanding of the subject or challenging yet incomplete and only sometimes useful in helping solve the end of chapter questions. The end of chapter questions follow a similar theme with difficulties ranging from far too simple (and occasionally not even particularly related or pertinent) to nearly unsolvable for any student who doesn't already have sufficient previous experience with the subject.

That all being said, I found this book to be a terrible resource to learn from or be taught from. I do however see how this book could be used, to some success, as secondary material in a class that is well structured and well instructed. I would not recommend this book alone for anyone who expects to learn the subject with any amount of relative ease, although it is possible to do so with unnecessary amounts of effort and stress.

An excellent reference for EEs
I really like this book. It covers the subject in both depth and breadth. Answers to selected problems are included along with many useful examples. A must have reference.

Decent book (judging from 2nd edition)
I will also comment on the negative reviews received by the book so far. It is true that there are 'better' stochastic processes books out there if the comparison is made in mathematical rigor for example or even in the unsolved problems etc. However the book holds a value of its own. I personally use it to teach stochastic processes to students who are not mathematicians. I find that it covers a great variety of topics leaving no important gaps on the way. Also I find each chapter of a particular importance. I dont understand why other reviewers found for example chapter 3 problematic.

To finilize my comment, I think that this book is written in a mathematical mood (the sequence of chapters and the approach, also using CDF instead of PDF) but simplified for people who do not want to go deep into the maths of stochastic processes, so I would love to had been tought this textbook in my engineering degree.

Lots of examples, sparce content, horribly worded problems
The content of each section starts with theory overview and then moves straight into detailed examples heavy in math details.I'm usually one that loves lots of examples but these are mostly useless as the problem statements in both the examples and end of the chapters are written like the author made them up at the last minute.Variable presented are undefined, numbers are reversed from intended or vague, too many assumptions are made and steps left out, and even his standardized variable definitions can get confusing as pointed out before (x, X, x', etc).By the way, the solutions are even worse.

All problems and examples are heavy in difficult math concepts.I know the book is on difficult concepts but it feels like the author likes showing off when the concepts can be explained and practiced in better ways.

The course I'm in is heavy on homework from the back of the book and the problems statements and solutions manual is driving me crazy.I'm tired of trying to read the authors mind and apply difficult concepts at the same time.Over all this book hopefully going to be more useful after this course as a reference then it's been as a learning tool.

Good Book
This is a good book for a subject that is simple but not easy.The author introduces the reader to fundamental concepts in probability with minimal mathematical abstraction and more examples than competing texts.This is the best book on the subject I have come across with the exception of the Schaum's Outline for probability and statistics. ... Read more

Product Description
-How often does each starting hand win against a specific hand or random hand?-What are the odds of your opponent holding a pocket pair when he raises?-What is the probability that an over-card will flop when you hold JJ?-How do you determine if drawing is profitable or not?Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities answers all of these questions and more.Every single decision you make at the poker table is in some way related to odds and probabilities.Whether you are deciding to bet, call, fold, raise, or even bluff, odds and probabilities are an integral part of the decision-making process.Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities covers all forms of the game, including limit, no-limit, and tournament situations.This book does more than just show you how to calculate the odds - more importantly, the focus is on how to apply odds to make better decisions.Hilger's approach shows that you do not need to be a math wiz to be successful in poker.Simple concepts and strategies that anyone can learn will have you matching wits with the top players in no time.Some of the topics include: raising draws for value, backdoor draws, facing all-in decisions before the flop, protecting your hand, the impact of stack sizes, and much more.In addition, the most comprehensive collection of Texas Hold'em charts and statistics ever put in print is provided as reference.Poker is a fun game, but it is even more fun when you win.Expert players understand the simple math behind every decision they make - now you can too.Matthew Hilger is also the author of the best-selling Internet poker book, Internet Texas Hold'em and is coauthor, with Ian Taylor, of The Poker Mindset. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

there's better out there...
this review is for the 1st edition copyright 2006.
pros:
1. thevarious charts showing odds.
2. formula for how much to bet to protect ur hand ([pot+ur stack] / odds = x, bet more than x to protect ur hand and stack)pg129.
3. the basic formula for determining break-even odds (pot/[odds-1] = x, to not give opponent correct odds to call bet MORE than x)pg145.

cons:
1. need to check the math yourself: example pg129.

2. the book seems to be written to impress other mathematicians, rather than being written for average joes that just want to know the "411" - the important PRACTICAL FUNCTIONAL info in EASY TO UNDERSTAND FORMULA. example: pot odds. pot odds are a fundamental practical concept in poker. a lot of books and charts will give u the ODDS in terms of a PERCENT. but THIS ISN'T THE POT ODDS: u can't easily use this to determine whether or not to call. the explanation he gives on how to change a percentage into POT odds is way more complicated than it has to be. here is the SIMPLE way: first, take away the percent sign. if the percent is given as a decimal, move the decimal 2 places to the RIGHT. now: (100-percentage)/percentage to 1 = pot odds. for instance, if ur odds are given as 25% or 0.25: (100-25)/25 to 1 = (75)/25 to 1 = 3 to 1. read HIS explanation starting on the bottom third of pg20 and the formulas he gives in the top half of pg 21, and u'll see that this way is MUCH easier than his way (using his example my way: 0.33 = [100-33]/33 to 1 = 67/33 to 1 = about 2 to 1; to make money, ur EFFECTIVE odds should be 2.5 to 1 or better). and u'll also see why i say he wrote it to impress other mathematicians - not for us everyday peeps.

3. his CASH GAME examples are from LOW-LEVEL blind games - $0.50/$1 and $1/$2 games. now the players in these games are a lot looser and a lot less poker-savy than players in say the $100-$200 cash games - or even $20-$40 cash games. i assume, based on what i've read so far and the fact that i have never heard of him before, that he is strictly an internet/average tournament/low-level cash game player. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. LOTTA GREAT PLAYERS ARE "NO NAMERS". BUT TO ME, THE FACT THAT HIS MATH IS SO CUMBERSOME IS WHY I AIN'T HEARD OF HIM: IT AIN'T PRACTICAL. AT LEAST NOT FOR ME: CUZ I AIN'T NO MATH WHIZ THAT CAN CALCULATE THE DIVISION OF FRACTIONAL PERCENTAGES IN HIS HEAD.
against a TRUE MANIAC - i mean a guy who LITERALLY GOES ALL-IN EVERY HAND - sticking strictly to sklansky's LIMIT EARLY POSITION STARTING HANDS given in his book "hold'em poker for advanced players" WILL MAKE MONEY. i know - i've done it MANY times. u need to be really really patient and strict about this. and u need to STOP when u've won - can't push the fact that "the cards always break even" creating some real bs for fishes. but even when u've got almost the whole table calling cuz they all know that one guy's a maniac, if u wait for aces or kings or ak suited and move all-in, sklansky's "probability predictions" HOLD TRUE.
but against INTELLIGENT loose-aggressive players like gus hanson or doyle brunson (and just cuz u don't know their names don't mean that there aren't players JUST AS GOOD AS THESE GUYS ARE out there - it's just that i don't think they waste their time at $0.50/$1 tables when they can make bigger money playing for bigger stakes) CORRECT PLAY dictates that u PLAY THE PLAYER and LOOSEN UP. all the KNOWN authors write this: sklansky and brunson come to mind first. sklansky in his excellent book (if u REALLY want to know the DEEP math check THIS book out) "no-limit hold-em" writes (and i am paraphrasing): "anytime a player plays less than optimally against a particular type of player or makes a mistake, he has lost money; and playing TOO TIGHT against a loose player is MAKING A MISTAKE and losing u money". brunson put it even MORE SUCCINCTLY (paraphrasing again): he said "poker is a game of people" and "u must PLAY THE PLAYER - not JUST the cards". doyle's book "super systems" by the way, gives EXCELLENT STACK MANAGEMENT advice. real simple. u need to read a few footnotes to get them sometimes. but they basically deal with PERCENTAGES OF YOUR STACK. this is real PRACTICAL information for CASH games. now i'm a lot tighter than doyle - don't have his money or his experience, but this is one way i use his info: flopping a set is about 8 to 1 against. if i have just sat down and don't know any of these players or more importantly HOW THEY PLAY or WHAT THEY HAVE JUST GONE THRU AT THE TABLE RECENTLY, and a player in early position raises me 20% (1/5) of my stack and i have wired 4's and everyone else folds to me, I'M FOLDING. i'm no psychic: but the fact that he raised early, and everyone else respected his raise seems to indicate he is either playing correctly or running lucky. and because i'm no psychic and money means something to me, i'm not risking 1/5 of my stack for a 1/9 draw. to put numbers to what i'm saying: if i'm playing a $10-$20 nlh cash game and have $2000 behind me, and this guy raises to $400, and i'm the only one that's left to call, i fold. for all his purported "looseness" and "luck" (10-2 is nicknamed "the doyle brunson" and u won't believe why if u don't already know) - i dunno how "loose" or "lucky" he is cuz i never played with the man - i really find it hard to believe that if that was the ONLY way he played, or even the way he played MOST of the time, he would be as respected as he is among the top pros. while he keeps repeating the mantras (paraphrasing) "play the player" and "play position", he also states that the strategy he gives is a BASIC strategy that has been successful in playing the TOP players in the world. and if u REALLY read it - i mean LITERALLY TAKE NOTES (unless u got a photographic memory) and try it out - u'll see that it isn't that "wild" "loose" or "crazy". i mean i don't have his money, his experience, or his karma: so there are some things i don't do - cuz i tried it and they don't work for me. but if u haven't already, i really recommend reading "super systems" - db's nlh chapter really gives a well-rounded pic of the game.

recommendations:
in the movie "up in the air" a character says "it isn't a problem unless u got a solution". so here are my "solutions":
1. "Super Systems" by Doyle Brunson et al.
2. "Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players" by David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth.
*note: this book is about LIMIT HOLD'EM but is an excellent read for nlh players as well.
3. "No Limit Hold'em Theory and Practice" by David Sklansky and Ed Miller.
4. "Harrington on Hold'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments vol. 1" by Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie.
*note: i haven't read vol's. 2 or 3, but if vol. 1 is any indication, vol's. 2 and 3 are worth looking into.
5. "Championship No-Limit and Pot-Limit Hold'em" by T.J. Cloutier and Tom McEvoy.

the only thing i don't have a specific "solution" for are the charts. i don't know of any one book or chart system sold that will provide all the information in one setting. i basically use bits and pieces of the FUNCTIONAL math - math that i can apply EASILY and QUICKLY under the stress and fatigue of a long game - from the the list above, as well as other books i have bought (most of which i don't recommend cuz the cons outway the pros in my opinion like this one). and while u need to check the math urself, this book does give u a LOT of charts - so i haven't had to look elsewhere yet. as for the math, the 5 books i listed above give most of the good functional math facts u need. the rest of the formulas, i have figured out myself or "field stripped" myself from various sources.

so if u want to pay $16+ for charts (but check the math) then buy. if that's too pricey - it wudda been for me had i known - then look elsewhere.

Exceptional
Exactly what I wanted.Odds are key to good Texas Hold'em.This book really meets my needs.

Odds and Probabilities
Covers the information the one needs to understand figuring your chances of winning a hand in texas holdem.

Informative and easily digestable
I previewed this book before I bought it and it seemed like a good value and now that I have it, I still feel that way. The poor reviews from other customers must be from know it alls because unlike many poker titles, it delivers exactly what it says.

If you already know the odds then you dont need this, but I already knew how to calculate with the 2-4 method but it expands on that to add implied odds, and douts. Thats how far I am into this book so far, and I expect the rest of it to be worth the time to read it and the cost.

Do not be misled by the haters. If you are shopping for a book on the subject of texas holdem odds, I would say its worth it. Many poker books are convoluted and this one is perfectly readable. So the people who said it is too basic might be fans of the convoluted books that I dont fully understand, but I found this book useful to re-enforce what I already knew and to help me expand on that knowledge.

Last comment, the book wasnt the holy grail that I couldnt live without, but it definitely gave me a deeper understanding of the subject and I would certainly reccomend it.

Too basic -- too little content
If you had trouble with math in grade school, then this book may be just right for you. But I personally found it was too elementary. Come on--do you really need to explain how to add fractions and how to convert 1/3 to decimals? If you are THAT math-challenged, you probably can't count outs either! By spending so much time on remedial arithmetic, he doesn't cover a lot of ground.

If you've never heard of implied odds and don't have a clue how to size your bets, then by all means buy this book. For anyone who has read one or two poker books, this stuff is too basic--and nothing is new.
... Read more

Product Description
This book gives an introduction to probability and its many practical application by providing a thorough, entertaining account of basic probability and important random processes, covering a range of important topics. Emphasis is on modelling rather than abstraction and there are new sections on sampling and Markov chain Monte Carlo, renewal-reward, queueing networks, stochastic calculus, and option pricing in the Black-Scholes model for financial markets. In addition, there are almost 400 exercises and problems relevant to the material. Solutions can be found in One Thousand Exercises in Probability. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Complex..
This book is slim on details and examples.It has complex ideas that I would highly suggest having a supplemental text for after the first few chapters.The book could be used as a supplement for an instructional course; however, I would caution on using it for self study.

Good and Timely
The book arrived even a little before the predicted arrival date (although they did seem to have erred a little on the side of caution when estimating that date in the first place).The book arrived in perfect condition, and I had no complaints with any part of the transaction.

Concise and informative
I used this book for an undergraduate probability theory course, and thought it was excellent. Although it is somewhat terse and I was happy to be able to supplement it with the lectures, it does a great job at rigorously covering a large amount of material in an understandable way. And although it's definitely not appropriate for students seeing probability for the first time, keep in mind that it is still relatively basic, for example it does not involve measure theory at all.

Obnoxiously Terse
Probability and Random Processes needs the following disclaimer:
-"This book is intended for only those who already know probability"

As an undergraduate enrolled in a graduate-level probability course, I find this book poorly suited for first-time learners. Nor do I think it is good for self-teachers like myself. To understand some of the examples this book uses, I need to haul out another textbook, Ross's "A First Course in Probability". I would guess that everyone who gave this book a positive review already studied probability prior to cracking open this book. However, the book is really lacks explanation. Nearly half of all proofs are left as exercises. And when you look up the solutions to those exercises in "1000 Exercises in Probability" all you will find is a terse 1-line mockery of an explanation. Seriously, whenever I look up the answers it feels like Grimmett is rolling his eyes at me and telling me to "just figure it out."

To give you an idea, what Ross's book takes pages to explain (as it should), this book cuts down into a single hard-to-understand and pretentious sentence.

I do agree with the positive reviews in one way: If you can get through this book, it means that you know probability really well.

lack of worked examples
I found the book less attractive due to the lack of worked examples given. The book is of limited use for a person who is self studying and is dependent on the quesitons and the answers in order to improve the theoretical understanding.
An excellently written theory book is of no use if the application of it is not sufficiently covered.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Buy part one first
This is the second volume of a classic text in probability.However the references to the first volume are ubiquitous.The first volume is more introductory and hence more readable for someone like me that is not expert in probability theory.I used volume one years ago and remember it as being much more appropriate at my level.It does amaze me that the topics are highly relevant today with the current interest in stable distributions in finance and hydrology.I give it 3 stars because of the many references to part one, so it does not stand alone.

the most thought provoking probability book ever written
This is the book we called Feller Volume II in graduate school. We used it to sharpen our intuition about probability. Feller was a master at explaining difficult things in simple ways. This includes the waiting time paradox and Benford's laws. For structure and rigor we looked elsewhere, Chung and/or Neveu. But Feller's books brought a joy and love for the subject. No statistician or probabilist should be without a copy on his shelf!
In spite of the fact that Feller produced one of the most general versions of the central limit theorem, there are no asymptotic theorems or proofs in this book.

A Great Classical Book
I used volume I in my class in probability at CALTECH in 1980/81. While never sacrificing rigor, Prof. Feller had the rare gift of explaining difficult things is such away, that they would become not only mathematically clear, but also intuitively obvious.

I consider this book one of the best math books available!

daunting, very duanting
This book is one of the tomes of probability theory.The material covered is not for the faint of heart though.The text explains things as do most graduate level math texts, in proofs and theory.

what is a title?
This is a GREAT book.
Unfortunately, I lost mine.
I wanted to buy volume 1, third edition, to replace the lost book but I got volume 2, second edition. Because volume 1 is SO GREAT book, I decided to keep volume 2 as well. How can be sure I ordered the needed one? ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive look at how probability and statistics is applied to the investment process

Finance has become increasingly more quantitative, drawing on techniques in probability and statistics that many finance practitioners have not had exposure to before. In order to keep up, you need a firm understanding of this discipline.
Probability and Statistics for Finance addresses this issue by showing you how to apply quantitative methods to portfolios, and in all matter of your practices, in a clear, concise manner. Informative and accessible, this guide starts off with the basics and builds to an intermediate level of mastery.
•    Outlines an array of topics in probability and statistics and how to apply them in the world of finance
•    Includes detailed discussions of descriptive statistics, basic probability theory, inductive statistics, and multivariate analysis
•    Offers real-world illustrations of the issues addressed throughout the text
The authors cover a wide range of topics in this book, which can be used by all finance professionals as well as students aspiring to enter the field of finance.

Product Description
The author once believed anyone not accepting the ?proven? evolutionary scenario that was ingrained during his science education was of the same mentality as someone believing in a flat earth.With continued scientific investigation, paying closer attention to actual data (rather than speculative conclusions), he began to doubt the natural explanations that had been so ingrained in a number of key areas including the origin and fine-tuning of mass and energy, the origin of life with its complex information content, and the increase in complexity in living organisms.It was science, and not religion, that caused his disbelief in the explanatory powers of undirected nature.The fantastic leaps of faith required to accept the undirected natural causes in these areas demand a scientific response to the scientific-sounding concepts that in fact have no known scientific basis.Scientific integrity needs to be restored so that ideas that have no methods to test or falsify are not considered part of science.Too often ?possible? is used by scientists without considering that ?possible? has a scientific definition within the nature of probability.For example, one should not be able to get away with stating ?it is possible that life arose from non-life by ...?or ?it?s possible that a different form of life exists elsewhere in the universe? without first demonstrating that it is indeed possible (non-zero probability) using known science.One could, of course, state ?it may be speculated that ... ,? but such a statement wouldn?t have the believability that its author intends to convey by the pseudo-scientific pronouncement.This book reviews the many prevalent scenarios that are widely accepted, but need closer examination of their scientific validity.It will also examine the scientific validity of Intelligent Design (ID) as a model that can be empirically detected and examined.For example, the book uses known science (including Shannon and Functional information principles) to prove that it is impossible (zero probability) for life?s complex information system to have an undirected natural source. The usefulness of the ID model for furthering scientific inquiry is also analyzed.One chapter is devoted to exposing fallacies, presuppositions, and beliefs that attempt to prevent acceptance of ID as ?science.? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Challenging Thoughts about Origins
This book draws attention to several problems with the reigning (materialist) view of how life began. Dr. Johnson focuses a lot on probability issues and the source of information.
The book is easy to read and offers a large number of thoughts worth ruminating about.

The book illustrates the advantages and pitfalls of self-publishing. On the one hand, the price is unbeatable and was brought to market quickly. On the other hand, there is room for improvement in how the material is organized. Although the quotes and thoughts make sense individually, the chapters and sections could be organized more coherently. Additional diagrams would also be much appreciated.

I urge everyone to get a copy and watch for the other book he is coming out with.
Dr. Royal Truman
Mannheim, Gemany

It restored my faith
As an elder and an engineer, I'd always thought I had a pretty good balance between science and religion.I had't noticed over the years, how a strong diet of PBS and Science Channel specials had shifted many of my fundamental beliefs in God, and the nature of creation.I found myself questioning everything, and was becoming quite fatalistic in my 60's.This book changed all that.Over the course of two days my brain experienced a major reality check.As "common thought" and scietific assumptions failed the tests of statistical possibility, the inevitability of an intelligent source to all life began to emerge anew in my reasoning.Certain facts of science should not be explained by religion.But when scientists attempt to explain certain realities of faith through faulty application of methods and reasoning, and then clings to these tenets in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they just end up looking silly.This is what I came away with from my two day journey.The book was extremely detailed and yet very readable.I give it an A+.It may have been the most significant book I've read in 10 years.Probability's Nature and Nature's Probability: A Call to Scientific Integrity

Good length, well written
I found this book to be a good review of intelligent design topics.It is easy to follow and well written.Unlike some other books on this topic the length was just right for me.I don't think I would be able to keep my interest on the subject through a 300 page book, but this book gives you the essential arguments and it is not a huge time commitment.

Excellent and Discerning Book
I am a public school teacher in Texas.I could not put down Dr. Johnson's book.I found the book to be very insightful and interesting, as well as illuminating in many factual areas.The perspective he creates is compelling!I highly recommend this book.Probability's Nature and Nature's Probability: A Call to Scientific Integrity

facts are facts
Very interesting little easy read book. It presents facts, not conjecture. A good beginner's book in intelligent design (or a creator, if you prefer). ... Read more

Product Description
Bridge, unlike chess, is a game of incomplete information.We bid with thirteen cards in view and play each deal seeing only twenty-six.We must deduce the positions of the rest from the auction and from the cards played.Some knowledge of the laws of probability is a critical weapon for any successful player.

Using a semi-fictional narrative approach, Bridge, Probability and Information develops the ideas of probability and information theory, applying them to bridge in a way no previous author has done.Concepts discussed include Vacant Spaces, Restricted Choice and how the split in one suit affects the probabilities in the others.Readers emerge with some very practical advice that will make them more successful players. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very informative and interesting material.
A little slow start, with some arguably valuable initial digressions, gets to the point later with excellent examples and invaluable insight. Recommended for all aspiring advanced players.

A great bridge book!
I picked this book up on the recommendation of a bridge book seller who recommended it when he saw I was buying Love's book on Squeezes and Ruben's Expert Bridge Simplified (both are good books).I hadn't heard about it before hand, but it was a great recommendation.The writing is great with the technical information easy to follow and the Alice in Wonderland styled example bridge hands inject some humor while reinforcing the points.

In addition, the concepts around the division of sides and the simple math to count the combinations and evaluate the likelihood of different hand patterns was new to me and a great contribution from the author.I highly recommend this book to any bridge player interested in improving their play. ... Read more

Product Description
This clear exposition begins with basic concepts and moves on to combination of events, dependent events and random variables, Bernoulli trials and the De Moivre-Laplace theorem, a detailed treatment of Markov chains, continuous Markov processes, and more. 150 problems, many with answers. Indispensable to mathematicians and natural scientists alike.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

astonishing!!
It is really unbelievable that so much about probability theory could be placed in such a small book in such a clear and inspiring manner. I think this book should be in the library of anyone who is interested in the probability theory and mathematical statistics. Have it!!! you will really enjoy reading.

fundamentals of probability
There are quite a number of books offering a quick introduction to the fundamentals of probability. And there is a demand, as these tools have many practical uses: Testing data, sampling, insurance topics, quality checking, finance, investment, and finance, to mention only a few. Rozanov's book, of just a little over 100 pages, helps the novice turning practical problems into numbers. What it does well is letting the beginning student acquire a sense of what the rules are, events, combination of events using the mathematical notions of union and intersection; show how they yield computations with probability, distributions; dependence and independence, repeated experiments; and use of conditional probability. It concludes with limit theorems, Markov chains and Markov processes.
There are other nice books that go beyond Rozanov; for example Heathcote's PROBABILITY, also in the Dover series.
Review by Palle Jorgensen, August 2008.

nice, inexpensive and very informative
This a really nice book to begin probability with; then it opens up to deeper parts of the theory, especially branching process and Markov chains within its very thin format; it obviously cannot compete with Feller's monumental work which is a natural follow-up to this one but you can't tackle with Feller from scratch either...So, have look at this one and then try Feller (and avoid getting lost in it...)

Good book
Nice cute book. I really liked the exposition of chebychev inequality, which is in many other books proved though markov's inequality in a rather inelegant way. Some typos and not too clear exercises. Still highly recommended, specially in view of it's price.

How could you recommend this book?
This book is translated from Russian and it might be more understandable if they left it in the original language. This book is the required text for a university probability class I am taking. I can not imagine any text being worse. Almost everyone in the class has bought the Schuam's outline title Probabilty by Lipschutz and Lipson. We are using it to try to decode this text. The exercises in the book are vague and often completely void of even the slightest hint of how to solve them. What is much worse is that there are many very basic and important facts completely left out (A good example is the conditional probability multiplication theorem for dependent events which is only noted in an exercise). I also should note with some reserve, for I know all mathematics texts are problematic in this area, that the notation used is often very difficult to follow (Example: Sumation notation without a simple case explanation beforehand). There is just enough left out of this book to get you confused and frustrated. The only good thing I can say about this book is that is it not very expensive but I strongly believe you can find a better text even at this price. ... Read more

Product Description
Historical records show that there was no real concept of probability in Europe before the mid-seventeenth century, although the use of dice and other randomizing objects was commonplace. Ian Hacking presents a philosophical critique of early ideas about probability, induction, and statistical inference and the growth of this new family of ideas in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Hacking invokes a wide intellectual framework involving the growth of science, economics, and the theology of the period. He argues that the transformations that made it possible for probability concepts to emerge have constrained all subsequent development of probability theory and determine the space within which philosophical debate on the subject is still conducted. First published in 1975, this edition includes a new introduction that contextualizes his book in light of new work and philosophical trends. Ian Hacking is the winner of the Holberg International Memorial Prize 2009. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Another Very Interesting Hacking Book; 4.5 stars
Another very interesting book by Ian Hacking.This extended essay is an ambitious combination of general intellectual history, specific history of probability theory, and some reflections on the philosophical implications of these ideas and how they developed.Ideas of probability were essentially a new development in human thought, emerging only in the 17th century.Hacking begins with several chapters on the background changes that made the emergence of probability theory possible. Probabilistic thinking is made possible by the profound intellectual changes that form the foundation of the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century, including new ideas about evidence and causation.These ideas emerge from abandonment of the emphasis on Aristotlein deductive approaches to knowledge and acceptance of more empirical approaches emerging from the "low" sciences of medicine and alchemy.Against this background, several important figures like Pascal, Leibniz, and Bernoulli begin to develop more probability ideas.Hacking is very good on the immediate and philosophical concerns that drove these investigations.For Pascal, for instance, the development of his contribution to probability and decision theory was bound up in his Jansenist theological preoccupations.Hacking traces the development of these ideas, often with interesting reference to 20th century discussions of probabilistic thought with a minimum of technical language and a wide range of knowledge of this topic.He shows how a number of factors, for example, the need for Dutch provinces to develop profitable ways of selling annuities, contributed to the develop of probabilistic thinking.He concludes with a very interesting and surprising observation about one of the philosophical consequences of the emergence of probability, that it made it possible for Hume to pose the skeptical problem of induction.A really stimulating book.

excellent historical account of probability theory at its infancy
This is the second edition of a book originally published in 1975.The main addition seems to be a large chapter-like section titled "Introduction 2006: The Archaeology of probable reasoning" that puts the work in contect with the thinking, research and publications from 1975-2006 that relate to the topic of the book.

The main premise of the book is that although probabilistic ideas may have been around before 1670 and the detailed mathematical theory of probability and statistics occurred in the 20th century, the original work of men such as Pascal, Liebniz, Laplace, De Moivre, Huygens, and Jacques Bernoulli from around 1670 to the early 1700s really mark the emergence of probability as a discipline and the development of mathematical results that spawned the development of various theories of probability that came about in the 20th Century.

This book is not a technical book and the specific mathematics that is covered is fairly easy for the layperson to understand.The key Idea is that in the work of Pascal and others dual concepts of probability emerged and the distinctions between the two concepts were not clearly delineated at the time.In a very historical account (much like the works of Porter and Stigler)that is also very philosophical in nature hacking points to the two concepts of probability.One is based solely on relative frequencies of occurrences based on empirical data.This led to the development in the 20th century of the work by Richard von Mises and A. N. Kolmogorov.The second concept is based on degrees of belief and led shortly to the work of Thomas Bayes and in the 20th century, Bruno De Finetti, Harold Jeffreys and L. J. Savage in what became known as the Bayesian or subjectivist school of probability and statistical inference.

Hacking refers to the frequentist approach as aleatory probability and the Bayesian approach as epistemic probability.Hacking sees more than two schools of probability, induction and statistical inference.It is Hacking's contention that the emergence of probability can be attributed precisely to the time about 1670 when the work of Pascal first came out.He sees this strong development as the result of the need for probability in several areas. The earliest was games of chance.But it was only because of issues in the law, theology, economics, physics, atronomy and other sciences that the need led to the field flourishing with the top minds of the 17th and 18th centuries addressing the philosphical and mathematical issues.Included were Newton, Liebniz, Pascal, De Moivre, Laplace, Huygens and Bernoulli.

As a professional statistician I found it interesting to learn how the works of the late 1600s and early 1700s influenced probability and statistics as it developed in the 20th century. Some of this work was familiar to me but much of it was not.For example, I found it interesting to learn that the "first" theorem in probability wsa Jacques Benoulli's proof of the weak law of large numbers.This was given as part of his work "Ars conjectandi", the art of conjecturing.Bernoulli died in 1705 and it wasn't until 1713 that his Nephew Nicholas Bernoulli was able to get it into print.

This book is very well researched and the author presents his case in a very articulate manner.I think anyone with an serious interest in probability would enjoy this book.It also contains an excellent bibliography that is 15 pages long.I have not read it but I expect that the authors other book "The Taming of Chance" would be equally informative and fascinating. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is an introduction to probability theory covering laws of large numbers, central limit theorems, random walks, martingales, Markov chains, ergodic theorems, and Brownian motion. It is a comprehensive treatment concentrating on the results that are the most useful for applications. Its philosophy is that the best way to learn probability is to see it in action, so there are 200 examples and 450 problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Well written and to the point.
I used this for self-study while doing a post-doc in applied mathematics.I completed 90% of it and am very glad that I did.Topics are motivated well and the proofs are clear.The book is concise enough that it makes a good reference--however, the organization isn't as suited for a reference as say Loeve's texts.It is written at the same level as a graduate text in real analysis.

Don't Buy Unless You Need To
One of the worst written math books I've ever seen. You have no idea if some theorem or lemma is important or not, because the only way you can distinguish those are bold typeface and their numbers (typically only their numbers). The proofs are also very economically written. Every sentence in the proofs might be equivalent to 3-4 sentences. Also he doesn't like to use enter key often. So, sometimes I feel like I'm reading a novel. Very long paragraphs without brakes. He omits a lot of things in the book. Typically for the limits you don't have any n -> \infty or he always talks about limits of sequences of random variables but doesn't make it very explicit what he actually means is a point-wise convergence of functions.

So, unnecessarily economically written book and you might spend hours just to understand a step in his proofs, because he omits maybe 2-3 inbetween steps assuming that you're gonna get it. Don't buy unless you really need to.

An excellent text for the target audience
To quote professor Durrett: "Probability: Theory and Examples is written for a graduate course in probability. It is not designed for undergraduates or others who are learning the material for the first time. At the graduate level it has been very successful and is one of the mostly commonly used texts in the country. A third edition with more typos corrected and hopefully a lower price will come in roughly October 2003."

Indeed, in order to begin with chapter 1, you need a solid foundation in analysis and abstract measure theory.(You can actually read the book without this background, but then you would need to start with the material in the appendices and then go to chapter 1.However, appendices are often meant for refreshing of filling in the gaps of lost knowledge.)

For a graduate student with the proper background, there are few probability books that compare.Many journey too readily into the abstraction of sigma fields, for example.And this, I believe, is why Durrett's book is well respected.He really does stick to concrete examples, and avoids being so abstract as to become incomprehensible.In fact, to be more understandable, his statements are often short and to the point.Such writing style may take adjustment for the reader, and you will have to fill in details yourself, but such a method of reading is standard for many math textbooks.

Surely this edition is imperfect (sometimes spotty index, occasional statements which are hard to follow), but on the whole the text is very well written, insightful and understandable for the appropriate audience.The upcoming fourth edition should improve on the imperfections mentioned above.

unreadably dense
With solid background in analysis and discrete probability from math and CS departments both ranked high in the top 10, I still could get absolutely nowhere with this book as a textbook for a graduate-level intro to probability theory. It is just incredibly dense and unreadable.

I'm willing to believe that it may make for a good reference for specialists, but do not do your students a disservice by trying to use it as a textbook at any level.

Winner of the most dense....
Durrett's book would be almost the ideal text, or at least ideal reference book, on basic probability if he would just re-do the type setting, providing more space and make things easier to read, and generally more aesthetically pleasing. He also desperately needs to more clearly delineate the sections, subsections, problems, and results - maybe even use the tab key once in a while, or use bold or a different font to highlight important items! Of course this would necessitate doubling the number of pages of the book.....
Also, his notation is quite arcane at times and his proofs sometimes unnecessarily involved.
Billingsley is almost always a better learning aid.
... Read more

Product Description
This example-rich exploration of both elementary probability and basic statistics places a strong emphasis on engineering and science applications.Coverage explores the treatment of data; probability; probability distributions; probability densities; sampling distributions; inferences concerning means; inferences concerning variances; inferences concerning proportions; nonparametric tests; curve fitting; analysis of variance; factorial experimentation; the statistical content of quality-improvement programs; and applications to reliability and life testing.For practicing engineers or anyone interested in probability and statistics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Easy to Use
I used this textbook for my engineering statistics class. Overall, the text was very helpful. It has clear and accurate information with lots of examples. I could teach myself the majority of the class material by reading this textbook and working through the practice problems. Also, the chapters are not excessively long. The focus of each chapter is direct and clear.

Only gave 4/5 stars because the book is not 100% perfect. There are some small typos here and there. None major.

Thanks!
I refunded the book because my friend lend me his. I thought the process would be troublesome, but it actually was not. Thanks! =)

this is not U.S. edition
this is a Indian Reprint - RS 350.00 (Original US edition - RS 3362.00)

but there's no difference in content.

jester3611
Be aware that you're purchasing a "Solutions Manual".The answers/solutions are to questions that are not in this book.The questions are in another textbook.

One of the better statistics books
For the most part this is actually one of the better statistics books I have used.It's greatest strengths lie in the number of examples provided and the "Do's and Don'ts" at the end of each chapter.The narratives and proofs do a fairly decent job of introducing and developing new concepts and formulas, and there is generally a good segway from one topic to the next. If you have other statistics books like I do, this book actually does a good enough job deriving each distribution that things became clear here that I had always puzzled over in my other books.It is admittedly a bit distracting at times when an example references data from an earlier example in a previous chapter requiring you to bookmark pages with your fingers so that you can flip back and forth as you work through an example.In other areas, at times an example might skip a few steps which will require you to think through how they made the leap.Still, despite these shortcomings and the occassional errata, I still believe this is one of the better statistics textbooks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Wish I knew this book 13 years ago!
When a scientist is really great we forget his name and use it as an ordinary technical term. Such as when we say the hamming distance between two character strings. Yes, this is the same R. W. Hamming, author of this beautiful book. I really wish I had this treasure back then, when I was taking my probability course at the university (around 1996). I admired Hamming's approach to subjects as an engineer. I say as an engineer, because the book can seem a little bit strange to a mathematician who expects axioms and then theorem proofs. It does have some proofs but only where author thinks they are obligatory. He presents many intricate concepts with very critical and valuable insights and concentrate on the methods to use various problems in probability. Not only how to solve it but why to solve it that way. The author is also very careful to draw attention to the pitfalls that one may encounter in this strange and beautiful journey, which makes the book only more valuable. For the statisticians: This is not a statistics book but one book that you owe yourself to have on your bookshelf.

One of the best introduction
Moves along to the interesting material quickly, but is easy to read. Hamming also presents some unconventional views, which is fun.

Best serious, yet informal, introduction to probability
Some noted mathematicians and scientific theorists are great teachers and writers, others not.Hamming was one of the former and this is a fine book.It is the one book I grab when I want to understand anything about probability and its applications.Not only does it cover a wide range of probability related topics, but it also discusses philosophical and working assumptions in depth with great humor and insight.

I wish that I had known of this book when I was in graduate school.However, it has even more use for a practitioner or teacher than for a first time student, as it gives one new insights with each reading of the material.

One thing, when Hamming says to go and "work it out" to gain insight, take him at his word and go at it.He knew his stuff and you will too if you spend some serious time with this text.

Superb, unique treasure-trove of knowledge!
This is a superb text for all current and future practitioners of statistics. Richard Hamming wrote this book with a clear pedagogical vision of how to approach the subject in a clear yet nontrivial manner. Particularly clear and deep coverage of generating functions cannot be found in any other book ever written. Topics that explore Shannon entropy and related concepts are also covered in unique manner that simply cannot be found in other publications. Basic philosophical assumptions that need to be made to understand theories of probability and the nature of stochastic methods are discussed with wit and in depth.

I highly recommend this book to all readers who use statistics in they everyday work. That includes experts who actually develop new statistical methods themselves as well as curious individuals who would like to understand more about probability. The book is so well written that it should be recommended as a desk reference to all educated people who want to understand basic ideas and methods that fuel the theory and practice of probability. I am truly sorry that the maximum rating is only five stars. This book certainly should be rated above any maximum one can think of. Buy it, read it and enjoy the process!

Perfect for the Scientist or Engineer
R. W. Hamming was one of the great applied mathematicians of the 20th century and was a good writer.This was his best book.I would not use this for a text to teach from.However, for anyone who has had calculusand wants to get into probability, this is my first recommendation.It isa great book to read and is full of tricks and insights.It is much betterto see generating functions here than in some dry merciless presentation. I heartily recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an introductory textbook on probability and induction written by one of the world's foremost philosophers of science.The book has been designed to offer maximal accessibility to the widest range of students (not only those majoring in philosophy) and assumes no formal training in elementary symbolic logic.It offers a comprehensive course covering all basic definitions of induction and probability, and considers such topics as decision theory, Bayesianism, frequency ideas, and the philosophical problem of induction.The key features of the book are:* A lively and vigorous prose style* Lucid and systematic organization and presentation of the ideas* Many practical applications* A rich supply of exercises drawing on examples from such fields as psychology, ecology, economics, bioethics, engineering, and political science* Numerous brief historical accounts of how fundamental ideas of probability and induction developed.* A full bibliography of further readingAlthough designed primarily for courses in philosophy, the book could certainly be read and enjoyed by those in the social sciences (particularly psychology, economics, political science and sociology) or medical sciences such as epidemiology seeking a reader-friendly account of the basic ideas of probability and induction.Ian Hacking is University Professor, University of Toronto. He is Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the British Academy, and Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. he is author of many books including five previous books with Cambridge (The Logic of Statistical Inference, Why Does Language Matter to Philosophy?, The Emergence of Probability, Representing and Intervening, and The Taming of Chance). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

recommended!
The author gives admirable attention to clarity for the topics discussed in this book. As an introductory text, it's not reasonable to expect completeness for the more complex topics addressed. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an introduction to probability and inductive logic.

Connecting The Dots
This book clearly explains ideas in logic and in statistics/probability courses I have taken, and includes several insights new to me. It contains several real world exercises and answers. For me it's hard to put down. Every minute spent going through it has been very much worth it.

Best text on logic and philosophy of probability
Maybe 1/3 of a college course in probability and statistics consists of a rapid trip, in math language, through basic conceptual ideas such as the interpretation of "probability", Bayes rule, significance tests and confidence intervals.This book, aimed at students of philosophy, treats this material and the associated math much more slowly and carefully -- relating probability to logic and philosophy, not just to math.For instance it has clear discussions of the principle of maximizing expected utility;the frequentist/Bayes philosophies and the coherence ideas emphasized by Bayesian apologists; the logic of significance tests and confidence intervals.Concepts are illustrated by creative selection of hypothetical story examples -- much more interesting than the usual math textbooks full of X's and Y's. The final 20 pages are a rather big jump toward technical philosophy -- arguing that both Bayesian and frequentist philosophies comprise "evasions" rather than "solutions" of "the problem of induction".

For a textbook, rather than bedtime reading, on this material it is hard to imagine a better treatment.My only criticism -- perhaps a criticism of analytic philosophy in general -- is that it seems more concerned with teaching the reader how to critique other people's arguments that with teaching them how to say anything constructive about the real world.

First Rate Introductory Text
This is a first rate introductory text prepared by a well known philosopher and expert on the logic and history of probability & statistics.The approach is disarmingly simple.Hacking avoids complicated math and proofs and teaches via the intuitive appeals to the underlying logic of these topics.Hacking begins with an intuitively based discussion of basic features of probability theory, expectation, Bayes rule, and decision analysis.This is followed by a particularly good exposition of the different senses of probability; belief-Bayesian and frequentist.Hacking shows how both approaches can be used fruitfully and rigorously in even mundane problems.These sections are followed by very nice chapters on the underlying logic of normal distributions, statistical hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals.This is the diametrical opposite of the cookbook approach used often in many statistics books and provides very nice understanding of key features of statistical methods.I never appreciated the strength of the confidence interval approach before reading this book.Hacking concludes with some concise but thoughtful chapters on the philosophical implications of these ideas, particularly as applied to the classic problem of induction.The quality of writing is excellent and the book features a large number of good examples and problems to work through.Strongly recommended to individuals who want to learn more about the basis of statistical methods.

Especially good on Bayesianism and Frequentism
(FOUR AND A HALF STARS)
This is more an intro to the PHILOSOPHY of probability and inductive logic than an intro to the MATHEMATICS of probability of inductive logic, although some of the basic mathematical ideas are covered (which is useful if you're gonna discuss the philosophy). Do not get this book if you're just looking for a typical mathematical intro to statistics.But DO get this book if you want to know about the foundations of Bayesianism or are interested in the Frequentists vs. Bayesian debate.It is the best intro out there on the Frequentists/Bayesians issue, and it is extremely helpful for someone who is trying to get a handle on Bayesian reasoning.Also, those who are more into the mathematical aspects of probability could find this book useful in giving them a wider perspective on the subject.On the whole, it's clearly written and fun to read, although it is not an "easy" book.A basic knowledge of probability theory and some initial grasp of induction are good to have before reading this.But overall, it's highly recommended for those who want to know about the conceptual underpinnings of probability/induction in general, and Bayesian and Frequentism specifically.
... Read more

Product Description
Measure, Integral and Probability is a gentle introduction that makes measure and integration theory accessible to the average third-year undergraduate student. The ideas are developed at an easy pace in a form that is suitable for self-study, with an emphasis on clear explanations and concrete examples rather than abstract theory. For this second edition, the text has been thoroughly revised and expanded. New features include: · a substantial new chapter, featuring a constructive proof of the Radon-Nikodym theorem, an analysis of the structure of Lebesgue-Stieltjes measures, the Hahn-Jordan decomposition, and a brief introduction to martingales · key aspects of financial modelling, including the Black-Scholes formula, discussed briefly from a measure-theoretical perspective to help the reader understand the underlying mathematical framework. In addition, further exercises and examples are provided to encourage the reader to become directly involved with the material. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Do not use it alone
The books provides a good introduction. However this should not be your primary book for the subject matter. It is an awesome book to get your feet wet a little. After the first 3 chapters, I suggest looking at books that are more specialized. If you have access to a University library, then there are many books on this that does much better job on introduction. For others, this could be the next best alternative.

They need to inform customers of what they get through Amazon upgrade...(Please read before saying "Irrelevant")
To other customers of Amazon bookstore- First of all, I apologize for writing more about the service of Amazon than about the book itself. If I knew any other place to complain about their service, I would've done so. Still, I suspect that what I write below may be useful to anyone who is considering to pay for the so-called Amazon upgrade.

I think the book itself to be very nice (although I could not study the later half of the book). For a starter, the authors point out several problems of Riemann integration; so, the reader can understand why we need a more complex, but also more general, method for integration. Next, they explain important concepts: outer measure function m*, measurable sets, Borel sets, and so on. Then, they introduce the reader to Lebesgue integration. Their construction of Lebesgue integral is similar to that of Kolmogorov, but it is more elegant and conceptually lucid. As a self-studying beginner, I found their approach to be pedagogically efficient, because I could see where they were (or I was) going.

Unfortunately, I had to stop in the middle of Chapter 4. It was because I paid for the so-called Amazon upgrade, and sold my paper copy, but all of sudden, they blocked my access to the digital copy. I emailed twice to ask why, but each time they sent a very short reply, which only explains where I can find the digital copy of my book. Since I already knew that information, I had to dig into the deep part of FAQ about Amazon upgrade. As it turned out, they blocked my access because I read the book on more than seven different computers within one month. It is a restriction imposed by the publisher.

Fair enough, but my complaint is "Why didn't they inform me of this restriction when I was paying?" Also, I emailed them to unlock my library, which contains two other books, but they have sent the same email about "Where you can find the digital copy..." So I am stuck in this situation.

Again, I am sorry for writing about a problem of Amazon upgrade rather than the book itself. However, this problem can be yours too, if you pay for Amazon upgrade. So before you pay, be aware that your access to your own book may be arbitrarily limited by the publisher or Amazon.

Great For Self Study
I highly recommend this book as a supplement or for self study. However, I do not recommend it be used as textbook in a course. Solutions are in the back on the text. I really love this book though.

absolutely useless
It starts out okay, good overview of measurable sets and the like.However, it does not even have the essential core theorem to the discipline stating when it is possible to integrate a function!one of the great thing about Lebesgue integration is that a function is integrebale in this sense IF AND ONLY IF the function is measurable. thats the whole point of having measurable functions.there is no if and only if theorem for RS integration.Plus other things, like it talks vaguely about 'randomly choosing a point' but with no precise definition.Things like that.

You are better off buying a classic by Halsey Royden or Walter Rudin, or something like that.This book is useless.

Excellent Book
The text is written at a level which is suitable for the classroom or self-teaching by an advanced student.The authors spare few details.I am very satisfied with my purchase. ... Read more

Product Description
Many people do not understand the basic concepts of probability, as evidenced by the proliferation of those participating in lotteries, horse racing, and gambling at casinos. But probability and statistics are becoming increasingly important in today’s society. As the basic ideas are being taught in elementary schools through college, it’s important that everyone has a basic understanding of probability theory. Probability theory explains the happenings that occur due to chance. Although it is not possible to predict for certain the individual outcome of a chance process, it is possible to determine outcomes in the "long run," and to predict the probability that something will eventually occur. This book will present the basics of probability in a non-rigorous manner. Only an understanding of arithmetic and some basic algebra are necessary to learn these ideas. No high-powered mathematical notation or formal proofs will be used, rather the concepts will be developed from examples using coins, dice, cards, and other common probability devices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

My hubby loved it
My husband is trying to become an acutary and this book really helped it. It was a gift I gave him and he was able to read and understand it even while only reading a few pages a day.

Probability mystified
The book contains nothing new or unique. The numerous errors support my opinion that this book should be pulled from the shelves, edited, and rewritten. Why doesn't the publisher issue an errata sheet?One of many examples of obvious errors is the table on page 188, only two of the 9 cells contain accurate information. Don't buy.

Does the job - teaches the basics quickly
I'm a college graduate who never took statistics or probability in college (not a required course).I recently encountered the need to understand probabilities and the peculiar notations.I found Probability Demystified to exactly fit my needs.It explains each concept clearly and illuminated by seemingly dozens of examples presented as problems and solutions.The examples are very clear and more than enough to test your understanding.The descriptions are so clear the author did not need to rely on "heavy" math to explain the concepts.For the foundation topics, the examples typically involve coin tosses, die rolls or drawing a card from a deck of playing cards, which make the questions very easy to understand.For more complex concepts the questions are still clear.
After developing the basics on calculating probability, it covers several fundamental probability distributions (Binomial, Multinomial, Normal, Poisson, Geometric, and Hypergeometric).Then it explains the basics about how to use the Monte Carlo simulation method, Game Theory, and Actuarial Science (insurance).The book also usually provides brief historical background descriptions, which I found interesting.I found once I understood a topic, I could summarize the topic on a 3"x3" Post-It note (I use them like tabs in the pages of the book) to quickly remember the concept.

Incidentally, I also purchased Cartoon Guide to Statistics, which I appreciated for its brevity, but found myself a bit lost in the notation when it reached probability distributions.Probability Demystified explains it better and was just what I needed.

One of the other reviewers harshly criticized the book for having errors in some examples.Frankly, I don't care.I didn't need to do more than a couple of problems per topic.There are so many examples (and solutions) for each topic, the student can generally tell when there is an error.The important thing is, does the book teach?It does, and efficiently too.I read most of it (up through Normal Distributions) in less than a day.

Author should have used a tutor to perform calculations
Actually, this book is well written and will give the reader a BASIC understanding of probability and I mean basic as long as the reader does not delve to deeply into the provided calculation examples.The problem is the author has several calculation errors in the book, especially in Chapter 4.Very Frustrating and disappointing.Save your Money....

very good start to teach yourself the bases of the probabilitytheory..
I find this book one of the simplest books that help to explain the elementary of the probablity theory.The auther used very easy examples along with solved problems to explain the basics of probability. Applications of probability theory like Simulation, Game theory, and actuarial science have been addressed in a very simple way.If you are searching for the simplest book to understand probability, this book, for sure, will be your primer choice. ... Read more