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

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

That is because the process of percolation is subject to a general principle in probability theory called the zero-one law, discovered by Russian mathematician Andrey Kolmogorov in the 1930s.

From Scientific American • Mar. 16, 2021

Dr. Conway’s boundless curiosity produced profound contributions to number theory, game theory, coding theory, group theory, knot theory, topology, probability theory, algebra, analysis, combinatorics and more.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2020

Using probability theory, I calculate that, given my assumption, the likelihood of this result is well below 5 percent, a commonly used “level of significance.”

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos