...the book provides a truly enjoyable overview of the role of probability in science, as well as in everyday life. It is aimed essentially at non-specialist readers, but even those who are familiar with its contents will enjoy the stimulating presentation.

Nature

...refreshingly opinionated writing...

Times Literary Supplement

...[a] very readable book

Zentralblatt Math

Cosmology has undergone a revolution in recent years. The exciting interplay between astronomy and fundamental physics has led to dramatic revelations, including the existence of the dark matter and the dark energy that appear to dominate our cosmos. But these discoveries only reveal themselves through small effects in noisy experimental data. Dealing with such observations requires the careful application of probability and statistics. But it is not only in the arcane world of fundamental physics that probability theory plays such an important role. It has an impact in many aspects of our everyday life, from the law courts to the lottery. Why then do so few people understand probability? And why do so few people understand why it is so important for science? Why do so many people think that science is about absolute certainty when, at its core, it is actually dominated by uncertainty? This book attempts to explain the basics of probability theory, and illustrate their application across the entire spectrum of science.
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This book looks at the role of probability in modern science. Using the most exciting developments in fundamental physics as examples, it shows the centrality of uncertainty and incomplete knowledge. Written by an insider, and using non-technical language, it is an attempt to explain how science really works.
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1. Probable Nature ; 2. The Logic of Uncertainty ; 3. Lies, Damned Lies, and Astronomy ; 4. Bayesians Versus Frequentists ; 5. Randomness ; 6. From Engines and Entropy ; 7. Quantum Roulette ; 8. Believing the Big Bang ; 9. Cosmos and Its Discontents ; 10. Life, the Universe and Everything ; 11. Summing Up
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`...the book provides a truly enjoyable overview of the role of probability in science, as well as in everyday life. It is aimed essentially at non-specialist readers, but even those who are familiar with its contents will enjoy the stimulating presentation.' Nature `...refreshingly opinionated writing...' Times Literary Supplement `...[a] very readable book ' Zentralblatt Math
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Accessible to a broad range of people with an interest in science Written in a non-technical language Extensively illustrated Discusses the science-society interface Takes a different perspective to other books on cosmology
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Professor Peter Coles is Chair in Theoretical Astrophysics at Cardiff University, UK.
Accessible to a broad range of people with an interest in science Written in a non-technical language Extensively illustrated Discusses the science-society interface Takes a different perspective to other books on cosmology
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199588145
Publisert
2010
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
314 gr
Høyde
216 mm
Bredde
138 mm
Dybde
12 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
224

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Professor Peter Coles is Chair in Theoretical Astrophysics at Cardiff University, UK.