ABSTRACT
Probability can seem a rather marginal topic in school mathematics, a once-a-year opportunity to roll dice or flip coins multiple times. In terms of the mathematical formatting of society and our lives, however, probability turns out to be important. Probability is, for example, fundamental to the actuarial sciences, as applied in the insurance industry. Most people have insurance for such things as their house, car, possessions, health and life. The premiums we pay are calculated based on the probabilities of bad things happening. Where do these probabilities come from? Who calculates them? Who decides if they are reasonable?
