Overview
On this page, we discuss different interpretations of probability, in particular the so-called “classical” and “frequentist” interpretations.
Basic learning objectives
These are the tasks you should be able to perform with reasonable fluency when you arrive at your next class meeting. Important new vocabulary words are indicated in italics.
- Realize that up until this point, we have not discussed the meaning of the statement \(P(A) = c\), only formal properties such a statement must have.
- Be able to conceptualize probability in the classical sense.
Advanced learning objectives
In addition to mastering the basic objectives, here are the tasks you should be able to perform after class, with practice:
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Be able to conceptualize probability in both the classical and frequentist sense.
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Understand the distinction between events with probability zero, and events that cannot occur, and similarly, between events with probability one, and events that are certain to occur.
To prepare for class
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Watch the following video by Kevin deLaplante which discusses the so-called “classical” interpretation of probability and its limitations:
After class
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Watch the following video by Kevin deLaplante which discusses the so-called “frequency” interpretation of probability:
For further enrichment
Do the following if you are interested in digging even deeper into this subject:
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Watch (at the least the first half of each of) the following videos (again by Kevin deLaplante) which discuss the so-called “subjective” (or “Bayesian”), “propensity”, and “logical” interpretations of probability:
