Bibliograph

Chances are--, adventures in probability, Michael Kaplan and Ellen Kaplan

Type

Label

Chances are--, adventures in probability, Michael Kaplan and Ellen Kaplan

Language

eng

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Chances are--

Oclc number

84898704

Responsibility statement

Michael Kaplan and Ellen Kaplan

Sub title

adventures in probability

Summary

A layman's journey into the realm of probability. We search for certainty, but find only likelihood. All things are possible, only one thing actually happens; everything else is in the realm of probability. The twin disciplines of probability and statistics underpin every modern science and sketch the shape of all purposeful group activity--politics, economics, medicine, law, sports--giving humans a handle on the essential uncertainty of their existence. Yet while we are all aware of the hard facts, most of us still refuse to take account of probability--preferring to drive, not fly; buying into market blips; smoking cigarettes; denying we will ever age. There are some people, though--gamblers, risk buyers, forensic experts, doctors, strategists--who find probability's mass of incomplete uncertainties delightful and revelatory. This book is their story.--From publisher description

Table Of Contents

Thinking -- Discovering -- Elaborating -- Gambling -- Securing -- Figuring -- Healing -- Judging -- Predicting -- Fighting -- Being

Classification