Fat Chance
Probability from 0 to 1

Designed for the intellectually curious, this book provides a solid foundation in basic probability in an informal style, without jargon.

Benedict Gross (Author), Joe Harris (Author), Emily Riehl (Author)

9781108728188, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 June 2019

210 pages
25.2 x 17.7 x 1.2 cm, 0.46 kg

'The book is an excellent text for anyone looking for a very enjoyable introduction to probability. It can be read on its own or used as a textbook for a math course for non-math majors.' Thomas Hagedorn, MAA Reviews

In a world where we are constantly being asked to make decisions based on incomplete information, facility with basic probability is an essential skill. This book provides a solid foundation in basic probability theory designed for intellectually curious readers and those new to the subject. Through its conversational tone and careful pacing of mathematical development, the book balances a charming style with informative discussion. This text will immerse the reader in a mathematical view of the world, giving them a glimpse into what attracts mathematicians to the subject in the first place. Rather than simply writing out and memorizing formulas, the reader will come out with an understanding of what those formulas mean, and how and when to use them. Readers will also encounter settings where probabilistic reasoning does not apply or where intuition can be misleading. This book establishes simple principles of counting collections and sequences of alternatives, and elaborates on these techniques to solve real world problems both inside and outside the casino. Pair this book with the HarvardX online course for great videos and interactive learning: https://harvardx.link/fat-chance.

Part I. Counting: 1. Simple counting
2. The multiplication principle
3. The subtraction principle
4. Collections
5. Games of chance
Interlude
6. The binomial theorem
7. Advanced counting
Part II. Probability: 8. Expected value
9. Conditional probability
10. Unfair coins and loaded dice
11. Geometric probability
Part III. Probability in the Large: 12. Games and their payoffs
13. The normal distribution
14. Don't try this at home.

Subject Areas: Combinatorics & graph theory [PBV], Probability & statistics [PBT], Discrete mathematics [PBD], Mathematical foundations [PBC], Business mathematics & systems [KJQ], Business studies: general [KJB], Economic statistics [KCHS]