probability theory

noun

, Mathematics, Statistics.

1. the theory of analyzing and making statements concerning the probability of the occurrence of uncertain events. Compare probability ( def 4 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of probability theory¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

“Talagrand is an exceptionally prolific mathematician whose work has transformed probability theory, functional analysis and statistics,” the academy said in its award citation.

From New York Times

“Anthropologists, sociologists, historians and psychologists, as well as those working on probability theory and physics, took him to have important insights for their disciplines.”

From New York Times

This direction of developing probability theory for more complicated structures than numbers is an example.

From Scientific American

In mathematics Pascal helped invent a whole new branch of the field: probability theory.

From Literature

He helped lay the foundations of calculus and probability theory.

From New York Times