Text

Hypertext

The project is organized into modules, each based on a large topic in probability or statistics. The modules in turn are divided into pages, each based on a smaller unit of material. A page may belong to more than one module, and thus have multiple points of entry and exit. The discussion for each page is linked to

• The corresponding applets
• Related pages in the Virtual Probability and Statistics project.
• Related resources on the web.

Mathematical Notation

To the extent feasible, mathematical expressions are displayed in correct notation. For example, a typical expression is written as

not as Int((1/(2*Pi)^(1/2))*e^(-x^2/2); -infty, z).

Exercises

Most of the text consists exercises that are intended to

• guide the student through the development of the mathematical theory,
• develop the student's probabilistic and statistical sense (or intuition),
• develop the student's computational skills.

The exercises are keyed with the following icons:

This icon denotes a mathematical exercise, requiring only paper and pencil (and understanding). The mathematical exercises are intended to develop the mathematical theory and provide basic computational drills.

This icon denotes an applet exercise, keyed to an applet on the current page. In some cases, the student is only asked to observe the behavior of a simulation or generate and observe data. In other cases, hand computations may also be required. In some cases, a calculator or data analysis software will be necessary. In all cases, the applet exercises are intended to demonstrate the mathematical theory in a dynamic and interactive way.

Thus, this project is intended to be interactive in a deep sense of the word; the student is expected to do most of the work, mathematically as well as with the applets.

Introduction