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I agree agree that probability and statistics are much more important in life than just calculus. That is why in college I am studying Artificial Intelligence a
by mitko 17y ago
I agree agree that probability and statistics are much more important in life than just calculus. That is why in college I am studying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - these are all math and probabilities.
Yet, I think Arthur Benjamin is right but for the wrong reasons:
1. People should know statistics instead of Calculus.
To know probability well you need to have mastered calculus. All the distributions, all the formulas build on things like sequences, and integrals.
2. If everybody knew statistics we wouldn't be in the economic mess.
Plain speculation. The majority people who have important part in the management of banks know statistics.
3. from continuous mathematics to discrete mathematics...
Probability and statistics involves tons of continuous mathematics and Analysis. Is a Gaussian distribution discrete? Is the Central Limit Theorem discrete?
The reason probabilities and statistics is important is because it lets people better understand why stuff around them happens and lets them reason about uncertain processes. Life is behavior under uncertainty.
- brianto2010 17y agoI believe it is important to remember that Arthur Benjamin is referring to High School Mathematics. To know probability well you need to have mastered calculus. I won't argue that point itself. However, given that the audience for this mathematics education is High School Students, we won't have to go that far. Regression lines, standard deviations, and Simpson's paradox can be understood without Calculus. Personally, more time should be focused on the analysis and application (again, at a High School Level).