probability theory

American  

noun

Mathematics, Statistics.

1. the theory of analyzing and making statements concerning the probability of the occurrence of uncertain events.

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Etymology

Origin of probability theory

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

“Talagrand is an exceptionally prolific mathematician whose work has transformed probability theory, functional analysis and statistics,” the academy said in its award citation.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2024

“Anthropologists, sociologists, historians and psychologists, as well as those working on probability theory and physics, took him to have important insights for their disciplines.”

From New York Times • May 28, 2023

For the kind of work that I’m doing, we need something that is more like a probability theory, where you’re not just measuring a number for each data point.

From Scientific American • Nov. 22, 2022

Lizza’s mother, Oksana, a professor of probability theory and statistical mathematics at Pryazovskyi State Technical University, didn’t want to leave without her own parents, who lived in another neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2022

Hacking’s identification of probability theory as a particular mode of thought could, however, have served to clarify the intellectual alternatives that were available before the emergence of probability.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton