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4.5: Vocabulary (Chapter 4)

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    Chapter 4 Vocabulary

    This list includes key terms introduced throughout Chapter 4. These terms form the foundation of probability, helping us describe, calculate, and interpret randomness in structured ways.

    Probability
    The long-run relative frequency of an event. Describes the proportion of times an event would occur if a random experiment were repeated many times under the same conditions. Values range from 0 to 1.
    Relative Frequency
    The proportion of times an event occurs out of the total number of trials in a simulation or experiment. Approximates probability in practice.
    Experiment
    An activity or process with an observable result. In probability, experiments are repeatable under identical conditions but have uncertain outcomes.
    Sample Space
    The set of all possible outcomes of a random experiment. Usually denoted by the symbol \( S \) or \( \Omega \).
    Event
    A set of outcomes (subset of the sample space) that satisfies a particular condition. Events can consist of one or more outcomes.
    Complement
    The set of all outcomes in the sample space that are not part of a given event. Denoted \( A^c \). Represented as "not A".
    Mutually Exclusive Events
    Two events that cannot occur at the same time. The intersection of mutually exclusive events is the empty set; \( P(A \cap B) = 0 \).
    Addition Rule
    A formula to find the probability that at least one of two events occurs: \[ P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B) \] When A and B are mutually exclusive: \[ P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) \]
    Conditional Probability
    The probability that an event A occurs, given that another event B has occurred. Notated as \( P(A \mid B) \) and calculated as: \[ P(A \mid B) = \frac{P(A \cap B)}{P(B)} \quad \text{provided } P(B) > 0 \]
    Independent Events
    Two events A and B are independent if knowing that one occurred does not affect the probability of the other. Mathematically: \[ P(A \cap B) = P(A) \cdot P(B) \quad \text{or equivalently} \quad P(A \mid B) = P(A) \]
    Dependent Events
    Events for which the outcome or occurrence of one affects the probability of the other. For dependent events, \( P(A \mid B) \neq P(A) \).
    Counting Rule (Multiplication Rule of Counting)
    If one task can be done in \( m \) ways and another in \( n \) ways, then the total number of ways to complete both tasks is \( m \times n \).
    Factorial
    The product of all positive integers less than or equal to a given number \( n \). Denoted \( n! \). For example, \( 4! = 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 = 24 \).
    Permutation
    An arrangement of items where order matters. The number of ways to arrange \( r \) items from \( n \) is: \[ P(n, r) = \frac{n!}{(n - r)!} \]
    Combination
    A selection of items where order does not matter. The number of combinations of \( r \) items chosen from \( n \) is: \[ C(n, r) = \binom{n}{r} = \frac{n!}{r!(n - r)!} \]

    Tip: Use these definitions as a reference while solving probability problems. Many of these ideas will return again when we explore inference, decision-making, and probability distributions later in the course.


    This page titled 4.5: Vocabulary (Chapter 4) is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Mathematics Department.

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