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Encyclopedia > Event (probability theory)

In probability theory, an event is a set of outcomes (a subset of the sample space) to which a probability is assigned. Typically, when the sample space is finite, any subset of the sample space is an event (i.e. all elements of the power set of the sample space are defined as events). However, this approach does not work well in cases where the sample space is infinite, most notably when the outcome is a real number. So, when defining a probability space it is possible, and often necessary, to exclude certain subsets of the sample space from being events (see §2, below). Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with analysis of random phenomena. ... In mathematics, a set can be thought of as any collection of distinct objects considered as a whole. ... “Superset” redirects here. ... In probability theory, the sample space, often denoted S, Ω or U (for universe), of an experiment or random trial is the set of all possible outcomes. ... In mathematics, given a set S, the power set (or powerset) of S, written or 2S, is the set of all subsets of S. In axiomatic set theory (as developed e. ... In mathematics, the definition of the probability space is the foundation of probability theory. ...


A simple example

If we assemble a deck of 52 playing cards and no jokers, and draw a single card from the deck, then the sample space is a 52-element set, as each individual card is a possible outcome. An event, however, is any subset of the sample space, including any single-element set (an elementary event, of which there are 52, representing the 52 possible cards drawn from the deck), the empty set (which is defined to have probability zero) and the entire set of 52 cards, the sample space itself (which is defined to have probability one). Other events are proper subsets of the sample space that contain multiple elements. So, for example, potential events include: For the Russian group of artists, see Jack of Diamonds (artists). ... In mathematics, an element (also called a member) is an object contained in a set (or more generally a class). ... In probability theory, an elementary event or atomic event is a subset of a sample space that contains only one element. ... The empty set is the set containing no elements. ... A is a subset of B If X and Y are sets and every element of X is also an element of Y, then we say or write: X is a subset of (or is included in) Y; X ⊆ Y; Y is a superset of (or includes) X; Y...

A Venn diagram of an event. B is the sample space and A is an event.By the ratio of their areas, the probability of A is approximately 0.4.
A Venn diagram of an event. B is the sample space and A is an event.
By the ratio of their areas, the probability of A is approximately 0.4.
  • "Red and black at the same time without being a joker" (0 elements),
  • "The 5 of Hearts" (1 element),
  • "A King" (4 elements),
  • "A Face card" (12 elements),
  • "A Spade" (13 elements),
  • "A Face card or a red suit" (32 elements),
  • "A card" (52 elements).

Since all events are sets, they are usually written as sets (e.g. {1, 2, 3}), and represented graphically using Venn diagrams. Venn diagrams are particularly useful for representing events because the probability of the event can be identified with the ratio of the area of the event and the area of the sample space. (Indeed, each of the axioms of probability, and the definition of conditional probability can be represented in this fashion.) Image File history File links Venn_A_subset_B.svg‎ Venn diagram for A is a subset of B. Modification of Image:Venn A intersect B.svg based on w:en:Image:Venn A subset B.png File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other... Image File history File links Venn_A_subset_B.svg‎ Venn diagram for A is a subset of B. Modification of Image:Venn A intersect B.svg based on w:en:Image:Venn A subset B.png File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other... A Venn diagram of sets A, B, and C Venn diagrams are illustrations used in the branch of mathematics known as set theory. ... A Venn diagram of sets A, B, and C Venn diagrams are illustrations used in the branch of mathematics known as set theory. ... The probability of some event (denoted ) is defined with respect to a universe or sample space of all possible elementary events in such a way that must satisfy the Kolmogorov axioms. ... This article defines some terms which characterize probability distributions of two or more variables. ...


Events in probability spaces

Defining all subsets of the sample space as events works well when there are only finitely many outcomes, but gives rise to problems when the sample space is infinite. For many standard probability distributions, such as the normal distribution the sample space is the set of real numbers or some subset of the real numbers. Attempts to define probabilities for all subsets of the real numbers run into difficulties when one considers 'badly-behaved' sets, such as those which are nonmeasurable. Hence, it is necessary to restrict attention to a more limited family of subsets. For the standard tools of probability theory, such as joint and conditional probabilities, to work, it is necessary to use a σ-algebra, that is, a family closed under countable unions and intersections. The most natural choice is the Borel measurable set derived from unions and intersections of intervals. However, the larger class of Lebesgue measurable sets proves more useful in practice. In mathematics, a probability distribution assigns to every interval of the real numbers a probability, so that the probability axioms are satisfied. ... The normal distribution, also called the Gaussian distribution, is an important family of continuous probability distributions, applicable in many fields. ... Please refer to Real vs. ... In mathematics, a non-measurable set is a subset of a set with finite positive measure where the subsets structure is so complicated that it cannot have a meaningful measure itself. ... This article defines some terms which characterize probability distributions of two or more variables. ... This article defines some terms which characterize probability distributions of two or more variables. ... In mathematics, a &#963;-algebra (or &#963;-field) X over a set S is a family of subsets of S which is closed under countable set operations; &#963;-algebras are mainly used in order to define measures on S. The concept is important in mathematical analysis and probability theory. ... In mathematics, the Borel algebra is the smallest σ-algebra on the real numbers R containing the intervals, and the Borel measure is the measure on this σ-algebra which gives to the interval [a, b] the measure b − a (where a < b). ... In mathematics, the Lebesgue measure is the standard way of assigning a length, area or volume to subsets of Euclidean space. ...


In the general measure-theoretic description of probability spaces, an event may be defined as an element of a selected σ-algebra of subsets of the sample space. Under this definition, any subset of the sample space that is not an element of the σ-algebra is not an event, and does not have a probability. With a reasonable specification of the probability space, however, all events of interest will be elements of the σ-algebra. In mathematics, a measure is a function that assigns a number, e. ... In mathematics, the definition of the probability space is the foundation of probability theory. ... In mathematics, a &#963;-algebra (or &#963;-field) X over a set S is a family of subsets of S which is closed under countable set operations; &#963;-algebras are mainly used in order to define measures on S. The concept is important in mathematical analysis and probability theory. ...


See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
Probability space - Wikipédia (100 words)
In mathematics, a probability space is a set S, together with a σ-algebra X on S and a measure P on that σ-algebra such that P(S) = 1.
The measure P is called the probability measure, and P(E) is the probability of the event E.
The above is a compact form of stating the probability axioms.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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