This study discusses the history of the central limit theorem and related probabilistic limit theorems from about 1810 through 1950. In this context the book also describes the historical development of analytical probability theory and its tools, such as characteristic functions or moments. The central limit theorem was originally deduced by Laplace as a statement about approximations for the distributions of sums of independent random variables within the framework of classical probability, which focused upon specific problems and applications. Making this theorem an autonomous mathematical object was very important for the development of modern probability theory.

The first edition of this single volume on the theory of probability has become a highly-praised standard reference for many areas of probability theory. Chapters from the first edition have been revised and corrected, and this edition contains four new chapters. New material covered includes multivariate and ratio ergodic theorems, shift coupling, Palm distributions, Harris recurrence, invariant measures, and strong and weak ergodicity.

This volume is based on the lecture notes of six courses delivered at a CIMPA Summer School in Temuco, Chile, in January 2001. The courses are: asymptotic of the heat kernel in unbounded domains; spin systems with long range interactions; non-linear Dirichlet problem and non-linear integration; first-passage percolation; central limit theorem for Markov processes; stochastic orders and stopping times in Brownian motion. The level of each course is that of a graduate course, but the material will also be of interest for the specialist.

Students and teachers of mathematics and related fields will find this book a comprehensive and modern approach to probability theory, providing the background and techniques to go from the beginning graduate level to the point of specialization in research areas of current interest. The book is designed for a two- or three-semester course, assuming only courses in undergraduate real analysis or rigorous advanced calculus, and some elementary linear algebra. A variety of applications—Bayesian statistics, financial mathematics, information theory, tomography, and signal processing—appear as threads to both enhance the understanding of the relevant mathematics and motivate students whose main interests are outside of pure areas.

Winner of the 2012 PROSE Award for Mathematics from The American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence. "A great book, one that I will certainly add to my personal library." —Paul J. Nahin, Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering, University of New Hampshire Classic Problems of Probability presents a lively account of the most intriguing aspects of statistics. The book features a large collection of more than thirty classic probability problems which have been carefully selected for their interesting history, the way they have shaped the field, and their counterintuitive nature. From Cardano's 1564 Games of Chance to Jacob Bernoulli's 1713 Golden Theorem to Parrondo's 1996 Perplexing Paradox, the book clearly outlines the puzzles and problems of probability, interweaving the discussion with rich historical detail and the story of how the mathematicians involved arrived at their solutions. Each problem is given an in-depth treatment, including detailed and rigorous mathematical proofs as needed. Some of the fascinating topics discussed by the author include: Buffon's Needle problem and its ingenious treatment by Joseph Barbier, culminating into a discussion of invariance Various paradoxes raised by Joseph Bertrand Classic problems in decision theory, including Pascal's Wager, Kraitchik's Neckties, and Newcomb's problem The Bayesian paradigm and various philosophies of probability Coverage of both elementary and more complex problems, including the Chevalier de Méré problems, Fisher and the lady testing tea, the birthday problem and its various extensions, and the Borel-Kolmogorov paradox Classic Problems of Probability is an eye-opening, one-of-a-kind reference for researchers and professionals interested in the history of probability and the varied problem-solving strategies employed throughout the ages. The book also serves as an insightful supplement for courses on mathematical probability and introductory probability and statistics at the undergraduate level.

This is a textbook for a one-semester graduate course in measure-theoretic probability theory, but with ample material to cover an ordinary year-long course at a more leisurely pace. Khoshnevisan's approach is to develop the ideas that are absolutely central to modern probability theory, and to showcase them by presenting their various applications. As a result, a few of the familiar topics are replaced by interesting non-standard ones. The topics range from undergraduate probability and classical limit theorems to Brownian motion and elements of stochastic calculus. Throughout, the reader will find many exciting applications of probability theory and probabilistic reasoning. There are numerous exercises, ranging from the routine to the very difficult. Each chapter concludes with historical notes.

The series is devoted to the publication of high-level monographs and surveys which cover the whole spectrum of probability and statistics. The books of the series are addressed to both experts and advanced students.

This comprehensive presentation of the basic concepts of probability theory examines both classical and modern methods. The treatment emphasizes the relationship between probability theory and mathematical analysis, and it stresses applications to statistics as well as to analysis. Topics include: • The laws of large numbers • Distribution and characteristic functions • The central limit problem • Dependence • Random variables taking values in a normed linear space Each chapter features worked examples in addition to problems, and bibliographical references to supplementary reading material enhance the text. For advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics.

Isoperimetric, measure concentration and random process techniques appear at the basis of the modern understanding of Probability in Banach spaces. Based on these tools, the book presents a complete treatment of the main aspects of Probability in Banach spaces (integrability and limit theorems for vector valued random variables, boundedness and continuity of random processes) and of some of their links to Geometry of Banach spaces (via the type and cotype properties). Its purpose is to present some of the main aspects of this theory, from the foundations to the most important achievements. The main features of the investigation are the systematic use of isoperimetry and concentration of measure and abstract random process techniques (entropy and majorizing measures). Examples of these probabilistic tools and ideas to classical Banach space theory are further developed.

"This book presents a comprehensive, insightful survey of the history of probability, both in terms of its scientific and its social uses. . . . It represents a substantial contribution not only to the history of probability but also to our understanding of the Enlightenment in general".--Joseph W. Dauben, "American Scientist".