Probability: For the Enthusiastic Beginner [Print Replica] Kindle Edition

Overall, the presentation of probability as a subject is very thoughrough and well done. Probability is an unintuitive and confusing subject for many and the author does a good job of walking through many examples solved in various different methods and explaining in much detail.Here come the caveats. The author uses the term "Expectation value" when he refers to the "Expected value" or simply the "Expectation". The latter two are the accepted terminology used in the subject of Probability to describe the probability weighted average of a random variable. The former term, "Expectation value", which the author uses repeatedly is only used in Quantum Mechanics. Although they measure pretty the same thing, it is bothersome that the author used a Physics terminology in a Probability textbook instead of following the convention. This probably has something to do with the author's background in Physics.Secondly, the author uses some unconventional notations for combinatorics formulas. For the formula to calculate the number of possibilities in multiple i.i.d. random experiments, the author shows a formula N^n where N is the number of possible outcomes in a single experiment and n is the number of times the experiment is repeated. Generally, in Probability, either the letter "k" or "r" is used in place of n. N^n only has two letters so it may be ok but when you go to the more complicated formulas like N! / n!(N-n)! or (n+N-1)! / n!(N-1)! it becomes confusing especially when you try to remember the formulas by saying them in your head (n factorial divided by n factorial times n minus n factorial). You would have to remember which ones are big N and which are small n and maybe even say them explicitly in your head i.e. big N factorial divided by small n factorial times big N minus small n factorial. These confusions are easily avoided in conventional Probability by using the letters "k" or "r" instead. These are a couple of caveats are things to be improved possibly in the next edition. It's a shame that the terminologies and notations are throwing one off in an otherwise very good introductory Probability textbook.

This book is great in that it's challenging and comprehensive. But unless you've either studied a lot of math in your life, or you're a natural whiz, it's a tough book to get through.I used it as a self-teaching tool to complement an applied statistics degree, and it definitely indulged my curiosity. I read all of it and did about 40% of the problems (some of the problems are pretty impossible for a lay-person like me). Let's just say I was very happy to finish it and move on.

Uniquely (and surprisingly) excellent book as an introduction or quick homer for the experienced.The book largely teaches by introducing de facto micro puzzles. If one is a beginner those micro-puzzles are accompanied by a large amount of text that motivate them and walk the reader through how to reason about them. An excellent way to learn and teach if one cares about acquiring deep understanding. But also (*): the structuring means that an experienced reader can skim though the fair bit of exposition, read question and then give an answer. If they understand. Hurray. You can compare to the solutions (often derived in multiple ways) and skim through the commentary. If one hesitates or misses — congratulations you have detailed discussion of the solution and usually multiple ways to reason to said solution.An excellent book and absolutely my first recommendation to anyone wanting to learn probability or refresh it - IF they enjoy deep understanding. Note: that’s not a judgment of character — if one merely wishes to quickly learn a bunch of rote formula for application elsewhere then this NOT the book for them. If one wants hyper efficient production of probabilistic results that they simply accept them there are other texts that suit their purposes better.But this text is top-knotch at what it aims to do.

The subtitle "For the Enthusiastic Beginner", may imply to some that this is an elementary book, but it is not. The subtitle refers to the fact that the subject is covered from the beginning with no required calculus (although some is used optionally). While not focusing on theorems and derivations, some are developed. The focus of the book is on understanding the basics of probability, with only a minimal amount of rigorous mathematical formalism. This is not to say that this is a slimmed down treatment devoid of formal mathematics, it is not.As with the other of Morin's books this is another great teaching book. It is clearly written, includes a large number of solved problems and is a good choice as a self-education text, as well as a course textbook or adjunct to book used in a class. My only complaint is that I would have liked even more solved problems. Most of the solved problems are challenging and are included as illustrations of particular points, as opposed to giving the reader simpler problems in order to gain experience with applying the material in the book.What is in the book:Chapter 1 - Combinatorics - Determining how various combinations are computed (counting with and without repetitions and for ordered and disordered sets.)Chapter 2 - Probability - The definition of probability and determinations of "and" and "or" combinations, plus Bayes' theorem, Stirlings's formula.Chapter 3 - Expectation values, variance, standard deviation.Chapter 4 - Distributions (Uniform, Bernoulli, Binomial, Exponential, Poisson and Gaussian.Chapter 5 - The Gaussian Approximations, law of large numbers, central limit theorem.Chapter 6 - Correlation and Regression - Definition of correlation, correlation coefficient, regression lines.Appendices - Subtleties about probability, Euler's number, approximation, important results, glossary.

Book is obviously great. Provides you with a strong foundation on probability. Most of the time, doesn't rely too heavily on mathematics. The only problem is the exercise section: In almost all chapters there are whole new ideas that are introduced in the exercise section rather than the main text, which I think is bizarre.

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Very clear explanations, solved examples, author insist on explain everything, in sample words, looks for deep understanding, also using graphical analogies. I found this book now, i wish i would had it during my studies.

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