Fifty challenging problems in probability
by Frederick Mosteller · first published 1965
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Can you solve the problem of "The Unfair Subway?" Marvin gets off work at random times between 3 and 5 p.m. His mother lives uptown, his girl friend downtown. He takes the first subway that comes in either direction and eats dinner with the one he is first delivered to. his mother complains that he has never come to see her, but he says she has a 50-50 chance. He has had dinner with her twice in the last 20 working days. Explain. Marvin's adventures in probability are one of fifty intriguing puzzlers that illustrate both elementary and advanced aspects of probability, each problem designed to
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Basic prob & stats: 1. _Stats: Data and Models_ by De Veaux, Velleman & Bock 2. _Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions_ by Mosteller 3. http://yudkowsky.net/rational/bayes Basic data analysis: 1. _Python for Data Analysis_ by Wes McKinney 2. http://camdavidsonpilon.github.io/Probabilistic-Programming-...…
on “Ask HN: Breaking into Scientific Programming?” ↗Ch. 1-5 of Sheldon Ross's "A First Course in Probability" works for this purpose. Consider testing/hardening your knowledge with Mosteller's "Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability".
on “Ask HN: Book which comprehensively covers probability theory?” ↗…exhaustive Combinatorial Mathematics by Douglas West [2] provides hints at least. These are advanced texts though. Another source of solved problems are "problems in" books. Dover offers affordable titles like Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability [3]. There are other classics like Combinatorial Problems and Exercises [4] or Proofs from the Book [5], all with solved exercises. [1] https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/algorithm-design-with-h...…
on “Algorithms by Jeff Erickson” ↗…Analysis • A Course in Multivariable Calculus and Analysis • Differential Equations With Applications and Historical Notes • Probability and Random Processes (Grimmet) • Probability Through Problems • Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions • The Simple and Infinite Joy of Mathematical Statistics • An Introduction to Error Analysis
on “Reimagining mathematics in a world of reasoning machines [video]” ↗