The Probability Companion for Engineering and Computer Science

by Adam Prügel-Bennett

Overview

This friendly guide is the companion you need to convert pure mathematics into understanding and facility with a host of probabilistic tools. The book provides a high-level view of probability and its most powerful applications. It begins with the basic rules of probability and quickly progresses to some of the most sophisticated modern techniques in use, including Kalman filters, Monte Carlo techniques, machine learning methods, Bayesian inference and stochastic processes. It draws on thirty years of experience in applying probabilistic methods to problems in computational science and engineering, and numerous practical examples illustrate where these techniques are used in the real world. Topics of discussion range from carbon dating to Wasserstein GANs, one of the most recent developments in Deep Learning. The underlying mathematics is presented in full, but clarity takes priority over complete rigour, making this text a starting reference source for researchers and a readable overview for students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108480536
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/23/2020
Pages:	470
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.24(h) x 1.02(d)

About the Author

Adam Prügel-Bennett is Professor of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. He received his Ph.D. in Statistical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, where he became interested in disordered and complex systems. He currently researches in the area of mathematical modelling, optimisation and machine learning and has published many papers on these subjects.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Survey of distributions; 3. Monte Carlo; 4. Discrete random variables; 5. The normal distribution; 6. Handling experimental data; 7. Mathematics of random variables; 8. Bayes; 9. Entropy; 10. Collective behavior; 11. Markov chains; 12. Stochastic processes; Appendix A. Answers to exercises; Appendix B. Probability distributions.

Editorial Reviews

'In addition to the usual topics of probability theory, a large portion of the book is devoted to presenting modern applications including Bayesian inference and MCMC. Students will appreciate the detailed derivations of formulas and the full solutions of problems. The text is interspersed with personal viewpoints and advice, which gives the book the flavour of a lively lecture by an enthusiastic teacher.' Robert Piché, Tampereen yliopisto, Finland

'Adam Prügel-Bennett has created a great toolbox for all scientists working with models that take into account the uncertainty of the real world.' Wolfram Burgard, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany

'This is a wonderful book, one that I wish I'd had when learning about probability. Indeed, there are lots of gems in there that I'm looking forward to reading about myself! The book is beautifully illustrated and refreshingly full of insight, without overly formal mathematical jargon. This book would appeal to students and researchers that are competent in mathematics and delight in gaining a deeper understanding of the subject, both from an intuitive and mathematical standpoint. It excels in demonstrating the wide applicability of probabilistic approaches to problem solving and modelling. This book deserves to be on the shelf of any researcher that uses probability to solve problems.' David Barber, University College London

‘The book can be very recommended all readers, who are interested in this field.’ Ludwig Paditz, Theatre and Performance Theory

From the Publisher