Learning Outcomes
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Find the prime factorization of a number
- Find the least common multiple of a list of numbers
- Simplify fractions
- Add and subtract fractions
- Multiply fractions
- Divide fractions
Probability theory is the foundation for statistical inference. After gathering and summarizing data, we want to make predictions (or inferences). You have likely used this type of inference in the past when looking at information such as weather forecasts.
Suppose you toss a fair coin to decide which team will take an offensive position first in an athletic competition. There are two ways for the coin to land (heads and tails), and one of these is the face you have called. Therefore, if the coin is fair, there is a [latex]1[/latex] in [latex]2[/latex] chance that your team will go first. So, the probability you will win the toss is [latex]\frac{1}{2}[/latex].
Working with fractions is essential to the study of probability theory. In this review section you can polish your skills in simplifying fractions, and adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions.
Recall for success
Look for red boxes like this one throughout the text. They’ll show up just in time to give helpful reminders of the math you’ll need, right where you’ll need it.
