A History of Probability and Statistics and Their Applications Before 1750The first treatment of the early development of probability and statistics since Todhunter's History appeared in 1865. The present book describes the contemporaneous development and interaction of probability theory (and games of chance), statistics (particularly in astronomy and demography) and life insurance mathematics. Illustrates the development of the practice by means of typical examples, giving both the original data and their analysis at the time, and adding some comments from a modern point of view. To read and enjoy this intellectual history, the reader need know but little statistics or mathematics, for the presentation is relatively self-contained. This unique book evokes the life and works of the great natural philosophers who contributed to the development of probability theory and statistics and offers fascinating background material on the history of mathematics, natural philosophy and social conditions of the eras under discussion. |
Contents
The Book and Its Relation to Other Works | 1 |
A Sketch of the Background in Mathematics and Natural | 13 |
Early Concepts of Probability and Chance | 28 |
Copyright | |
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Other editions - View all
A History of Probability and Statistics and Their Applications before 1750 Anders Hald Limited preview - 2005 |
A History of Probability and Statistics and Their Applications before 1750 Anders Hald Limited preview - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
A's probability a₁ analysis annuity approximation Arbuthnott astronomers banker Bernoulli's theorem binomial coefficients binomial distribution calculated cards christenings coefficients coincidence combinatorial Conjectandi considers corresponding denote derived dice difference equation discussion Doctrine of Chances duration of play edition equals error estimate example Fermat function Galileo Gambler's Ruin games of chance gives Graunt Halley Halley's Hudde Huygens James Bernoulli John Bernoulli Kepler Laplace large number Leibniz letter London mathematicians mathematics means method Moivre Moivre's Montmort mortality n games Newton Nicholas Bernoulli notation number of burials number of chances number of deaths number of male number of permutations number of points observations obtained P₁ parameters Pascal players polynomial probability of winning probability theory problem of points proof Proposition prove published random ratio recursion recursion formula solution solved stake statistical Struyck throws Todhunter total number treatise Witt writes