Probability: An Introduction

by Samuel Goldberg

Excellent basic text covers set theory, probability theory for finite sample spaces, binomial theorem, probability distributions, means, standard deviations, probability function of binomial distribution, and other key concepts and methods essential to a thorough understanding of probability. Designed for use by math or statistics departments offering a first course in probability. 360 illustrative problems with answers for half. Only high school algebra needed. Chapter bibliographies.

Genres: Science, Mathematics, Textbooks

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Quentin Lintz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent simple and easily understood examples: cards, die, coins. In my opinion, too many proofs -- but I probably need to get better at proofs to appreciate it. I did a couple problems at the end of each section and was pleasantly surprised to see the odd number answers in the back of the book! My Probability and Statistics class from college is all coming back to me.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm no mathematician! However, I loved this book. I will be re-reading it again and probably again as my math adventures continue to unfold. I appreciated how Goldberg wrote it. Helpful and fun!

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy crap. Dover knows what it's doing.

I spent $8 on this book when it was $14 new and couldn't have asked for a better introduction to probability for a class I'm taking in the fall. Goldberg begins by introducing elementary set theory and quizzes the reader on elements in sets, subsets, and combining sets. Then he teaches probability in terms of sets.

There are diagrams (although they aren't shiny) and they do quite well at helping the reader understand concepts. The text itself is also written in an easy-to-understand manner.

I only have two issues. Some of the examples are outdated (Goldberg refers to punchcard systems to sort people in dorms) and the book has nothing on the normal distribution. Other than these, this is a fine introduction to the subject matter.