Statistics and Probability with Applications for Engineers and Scientists Using MINITAB, R and JMP, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3Elements of Probability

The focus of this chapter is the study of basic concepts of probability.

Topics Covered

• Random experiments and sample spaces
• Representations of sample spaces and events using Venn diagrams
• Basic concepts of probability
• Additive and multiplicative rules of probability
• Techniques of counting sample points: permutations, combinations, and tree diagrams
• Conditional probability and Bayes's theorem
• Introducing random variables

Learning Outcomes

After studying this chapter, the reader will be able to

• Handle basic questions about probability using the definitions and appropriate counting techniques.
• Understand various characteristics and rules of probability.
• Determine probability of events and identify them as independent or dependent.
• Calculate conditional probabilities and apply Bayes's theorem for appropriate experiments.
• Understand the concept of random variable defined over a sample space.

3.1 Introduction

In day‐to‐day activities and decisions, we often confront two scenarios: one where we are certain about the outcome of our action and the other where we are uncertain or at a loss. For example, in making a decision about outcomes, an engineer knows that a computer motherboard requires four RAM chips and plans to manufacture 100 motherboards. On the one hand, the engineer is certain that he will need 400 RAM chips. On the other hand, the manufacturing process of the RAM chips produces both nondefective and defective chips. Thus, the engineer ...