Discover how probability distribution methods can help predict stock market returns and improve investment decisions. Learn ...

For decades, scientists have tried to turn the question of alien life from late-night speculation into something you can ...

Discover how Markov chains predict real systems, from Ulam and von Neumann’s Monte Carlo to PageRank, so you can grasp ...

Humans respond to environments that change at many different speeds. A video game player, for example, reacts to on-screen ...

Probability is the hidden engine that powers everything from simple games of chance to complex online gambling systems. For math enthusiasts and strategic thinkers, delving into the mechanics behind ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Investopedia / Ellen Lindner Actuarial science uses mathematical and statistical techniques ...

A variation of a puzzle called the “pick-up sticks problem” asks the following question: If I have some number of sticks with random lengths between 0 and 1, what are the chances that no three of ...

Chance and uncertainty play a role in many aspects of life. A solid understanding of probability enhances critical thinking and empowers us to make well-informed decisions in everyday situations such ...

The binomial distribution is a key concept in probability that models situations where you repeat the same experiment several times, and each time there are only two possible outcomes—success or ...

Everybody’s got a hunch this time of year, a thought about the so-called Presidents’ Trophy “curse” or maybe a dark horse Stanley Cup pick. Only one team of the 16 in the NHL playoffs gets to be ...