ABSTRACT
In probability theory the sample space can consist of any collection of objects or events that are of interest. However, when trying to develop statistical techniques, it is convenient to restrict attention to sample spaces containing only numbers. Fortunately, for the problems considered in this book, assigning numbers to outcomes is a simple process. In many cases the numbers used to describe outcomes suggest themselves in an obvious way. For example, when measuring how much people weigh, a pointer on the scale might indicate the symbol “120,” and so you would use 120 as the person's weight. In other cases numbers can be assigned in an arbitrary but convenient fashion that is appropriate for the problem at hand. For instance, if you want to conduct a study that deals with whether students pass (P) or fail (F) a statistics course, it turns out to be convenient to designate a “pass” with the number 1, and a “fail” with the number 0. The reader might not be completely convinced that assigning numbers to outcomes is always a simple matter, but eventually this will become clear.
