The Art of Probability
by Richard Hamming · first published 1990
88% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Clear, intuitive probability text by an engineer who applied it in practice; explanations are rigorous without being pedantic and suits engineers and scientists wanting to finally grasp probability.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…would like, for a change, to look at a "probability in the real world" book that would make any actual sense, and by someone who has used probability theory successfully in practice, have a look at "The Art of Probability" by Richard Hamming, the inventor of coding theory. He treats things like robustness of models to violation of assumptions that are not often found in other books, and he uses only calculus, although…
on “Probability and Risk in the Real World [pdf]” ↗You beat me to it! In particular; Methods of Mathematics Applied to Calculus, Probability, and Statistics is one of a kind. For the OP; there is also The Art Of Probability by Richard Hamming which you might find interesting. And finally of course everybody needs to read; The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn by Richard Hamming.
on “Ask HN: Math books you recommend just for the way they are written?” ↗I probably have bookmarks in 20+ books but these are at the top of the pile: The Art Of Probability , Richard Hamming. I find prob/stat frustratingly hard to master. This book is clearing up my confusion chapter by chapter. As an engineer this book appears to be written for someone with exactly my level…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗All of Hamming's books are Great. Most are available from Dover Publications for cheap. In particular; checkout his * Methods of Mathematics Applied to Calculus, Probability, and Statistics. * The Art of Probability.
on “Beyond Smart” ↗…and the small size of this book, it's an amazing and intuitive. When I read Calculus Made Easy I also read Infinite powers by Steven Strogratz they complete each other very well. I have a copy of "The Art of Probability: For Scientists and Engineers" by Hamming it's a really good book. If you are interested in Bayesian probability, machine learning or information theory I recommend "Information Theory, Inference, and…
on “Ask HN: The book that did it for you in math and/or CS?” ↗* The Art of Probability by Hamming. An opinionated, slightly quirky text on probability. Unlike the text used in my university course its explanations were clear and rigourous without being pedantic. The exercises were both…
on “Ask HN: Math books that made you significantly better at math?” ↗The Art Of Probability For Scientists And Engineers by Richard Hamming
on “What is the best statistics text for experimental physicists?” ↗The Art of Probability by Richard Hamming.
on “Ask HN: Math books you recommend just for the way they are written?” ↗"The Art of Probability" by Richard Hamming, the inventor of coding theory The same guy who brought us The Art of Doing Science and Engineering? Welp, time to order another book.
on “Probability and Risk in the Real World [pdf]” ↗