ABSTRACT
As noted in the introductory chapter, this chapter addresses the key fundamentals and principles associated with both probability and statistics. Webster1 defines probability as “the number of times something will probably occur over the range of possible scenarios, expressed as a ratio.” Most applied scientists, including engineers, would claim that probability is concerned with describing the phenomena of chance and randomness. Statistics is an order of magnitude more difficult to define. Webster1 provides the following: “facts or data of a numerical kind, assembled, classified, and tabulated so as to present significant information about a given subject; the science of assembling, classifying, tabulating, and analyzing such facts or data.” There are obviously many other definitions.
