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Synonyms

probability theory

American  

noun

Mathematics, Statistics.

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

Etymology

Origin of probability theory

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Probability theory, classically, is about distributions of numbers.

From Scientific American • Nov. 22, 2022

Probability theory allows us to measure how likely—or unlikely—a given result is.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

Probability theory was invented to help rich aristocrats win more money with their gambling.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Birthdays, Death Days, and ESP Probability theory began with gambling problems in the seventeenth century, and something of the gaming flavor and appeal clings to it to this day.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.