Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up

This is an introductory edX course in probability. Created specifically for those who are new to the study of probability, or for those who are seeking an approachable review of core concepts prior to enrolling in a college-level statistics course, this course develops a mathematical mode of thought over rote memorization of terms and formulae. Through visual lessons and guided practice, this course explores the quantitative reasoning behind probability and the cumulative nature of mathematics by tracing probability and statistics back to a foundation in the principles of counting.

In Modules 1 and 2, basic counting skills are introduced, and will be built upon throughout the course. In Module 3, those skills will be applied to simple problems in probability. In Modules 4 through 6, explore how those ideas and techniques can be adapted to answer a greater range of probability problems. Lastly, in Module 7, there is an introduction to statistics through the notion of expected value, variance, and the normal distribution. See how to use these ideas to approximate probabilities in situations where it is difficult to calculate their exact values.

Learning objectives:

• An increased appreciation for, and reduced fear of, basic probability and statistics
• How to solve combinatorial counting problems
• How to solve problems using basic and advanced probability
• An introductory understanding of the normal distribution and its many statistical applications
• An ability to recognize common fallacies in probability, as well as some of the ways in which statistics are abused or simply misunderstood

edX is an online learning platform that offers free, high-quality courses to learners everywhere. edX was founded by Harvard University and MIT and now partners with more than 90 global members, including leading universities, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions. It offers more than 1,700 “massive open online courses” (MOOCs) on subjects ranging from architecture and art, to engineering and global health, to physics and social sciences. Harvard provides free online courses from across the university through HarvardX.