Chapter 17

Introducing Probability

IN THIS CHAPTER

check Defining probability

check Working with probability

check Dealing with random variables and their distributions

check Focusing on the binomial distribution

check Learning probability-related R functions

Probability is the basis of hypothesis testing and inferential statistics, so I use this concept throughout the book. (Seems like a fine time to introduce it!)

Most of the time I represent probability as the proportion of area under part of a distribution. For example, the probability of a Type I error (also known as α) is the area in a tail of the standard normal distribution, or in a tail of the t distribution.

It’s time to examine probability in greater detail, including random variables, permutations, and combinations. I show you some fundamentals and applications of probability, and then I focus on a couple of specific probability distributions and also tell you about some probability-related R functions.

What Is Probability?

Most of us have an intuitive ...

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