Ebook: Introduction To Probability: Models And Applications

Probability theory deals with phenomena whose outcome is affected by random events,
and therefore they cannot be predicted with certainty. For example, the result of throwing
a coin or a dice, the time of occurrence of a natural phenomenon or disaster (e.g. snowfall,
earthquake, tsunami etc.) are some of the cases where “randomness” plays an important
role and the use of probability theory is almost inevitable.
It is more than five centuries ago, when the Italians Luca Pacioli, Niccolo Tartaglia,
Galileo Galilei and the French Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal started setting the
foundations of probability theory. Nowadays this area has been fully developed as an
independent research area and offers valuable tools for almost all applied sciences. As a
consequence, introductory concepts of Probability Theory are taught in the first years of
most University and College programs.
This book is an introductory textbook in probability and can be used by majors
in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Operations
Research, Engineering etc. No prior knowledge of probability theory is required.