Additional

Mathematics
Project Work
2/2010-
Theory of
Probability
Name: Adam Ng Jihang
Class: 5SN
Table Of contents:
1. Title
2. Acknowledgements
Introduction: Part1
3.

4. Part 2
5. Part 3
6. Part 4
7. Part 5
8. Further Exploration
9. Reflection
10. Sources
11. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to thank God. Next, I
would like to express my gratitude to my parents. This
project cannot be done without their guidance. I would
also like to thank my Additional Mathematics teacher,
Pn Fong Wei Min for teaching me about the branch of
Math called probability. Last but not least, I would like
to thank my friends for giving me tips and supporting
me on this project.
Introduction: Part 1
a) The history of probability theory

Cardano, the father of probability

Probability theory originally was used for games of

chance, or better known as gambling. A mathematician
named Gerolamo Cardano used the theory of probability
as a way to analyze games of chance, and better
influence his ‘luck’ in the sixteenth century. Yes,
probability was used to gamble. Cardano is regarded as
the father of probability as he wrote a book on that
subject. His book, known as Liber de ludo aleae ("Book
on Games of Chance"), was published in 1663, was the
first book to deal with probability systematically, as well
as teaching us how to cheat with probability.

The branch of probability was further expanded upon by

two mathematicians, namely Pierre de Fermat and Blaise
Pascal in the seventeenth century. They conducted
research on the problem of points, which is a
mathematical problem concerning probability.
Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat (Respectively). They built upon
Gerolamo Cardano’s work.

In 1657, the field of probability was strengthened by

Christiaan Huygens, who, under encouragement from
Pascal, wrote a book on the subject, called De ratiociniis
in ludo aleae ("On Reasoning in Games of
Chance"), which he had published in 1657. This is
regarded as the first book on probability theory, since it
was published before Cardano’s book.

Later, the branch of probability evolved into modern

probability theory with the help of Andrey Nikolaevich
Kolmogorov, who laid the foundations of modern
probability. He combined the sample space with the
measure theory, creating his axiom system in 1933. This
 became the standardized form of probability
measurement, continuing until now.
In our daily life, The Theory of Probability is used in
various occurrences. One real life example is when we
are playing cards, for example Blackjack. There are 52
cards in a deck. Each player receives two cards. The best
pair of cards that one can receive is an Ace and one of
the picture cards. Speaking in terms of probability, if
there are three players, counting the banker, each player
has a 6/169 chance of getting 21 points in the first deal.

Alternatively, the Theory of Probability is used for

business. Probability is used in business to evaluate the
risk in a decision. The higher probability of success
ensures a lower chance of failing.

Probability can help us understand the seemingly random

forces and ensure a risk free environment. Thus it is
important for us to study probability.

b) The difference between Theoretical Probability and

Empirical Probability
Theoretical probability is the branch of probability
concerned with the theory. There is no concrete proof
and all results are based only on calculation.
 Empirical probability, as its name suggests, is based on
experiments and the results

.
PART 2
Part 3

\
Part 4
Sources
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probability_theory
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probability/
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_large_number
s
4. Nexus SPM Additional Mathematics: Chang Tze
Hin, Ong Yoke Mooi, Sim Kwang Yaw, Wong
Mee Kiong, Yoong Kwee Soon
5. http://www.google.com
6. http://lokeskywalker.blogspot.com
Conclusion
Further Exploration
Reflection