Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) Paperback – May 1, 1987

I was compelled to write a review as I found some of the lower-ranked reviews downright condescending. Some of the problems in the book are decidedly simple but with twists that may not be obvious at the outset. In hindsight, the solutions to these make them simple to understand and replicate. But several other problems discussed are difficult enough to be posed on Ph.D qualifiers at class 1 institutions. That is the appeal of the book. Its a great mix. I read some of the tough problems regularly to deepen my understanding of logically working through a solution. I have used Buffon's needle (before I read this book, but it is discussed therein) on my 10 yr old's school project and used the "breaking a stick" problem to illustrate Monte Carlo simulation in class. Granted that some knowledge of basic probability/mathematical statistics would be required to appreciate the solutions but even without such a background the problems themselves are fairly interesting. For example, I have posed the "tennis" problem to my 10 year old and have worked through the logic with him, which he understood sans any math. In summary, this is $7 and change more than well spent.

This is a fun book, with bite-size probability problems and an answer key provided in the back. If you enjoy probability and statistics, you’ll have fun with this book. I like to read one a day and think it through on my morning drive. Some old classics and some new problems included in here; it would make a nice little gift too.

I did one problem each morning. Really happy with most solutions, though some could have shown more steps. The author covers famous problems like Buffon's needle and Molina's urn, and also shows how simple probability problems can lead to several of the most common probability distributions.

This is recreational math at its finest. All problems are approachable with just elementary probability theory and high school mathematics with the occasional appearance of first-semester calculus. However, each problem is thought-provoking and lead to interesting generalizations, if the reader is so inclined. I have seen maybe six or seven of the problems in previous contexts (I'm not particularly well-read in this area of math), but the solutions provided by the author still gave me something the think about. The rest of the problems were brand new for me and were good to think about on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Good if you're a math nerd, or you're trying to get a new generation of young'uns hooked.A bit on the short side -- it leaves you wanting more.

I enjoy solving probability puzzles. I considered myself to be pretty good- I could solve any problem that the GRE practice exams could throw my way. Until I opened this book.This book takes off where I ended up. The first problem is a variation on the "reach into a bag" probability problem. (Q: You reach into a drawer with red socks and black socks, and the probability of drawing 2 red socks is P=0.5. What is the minimum number of both colored socks?)You won't find the typical probability problems that can be quickly solved with basic combinatorial analysis or the Bernoulli Coefficient. You'll find variations and completely new worlds of probability. The explanations are thorough but succinct, and will arm you with a new skill set for solving such problems.There's no other book like it on Amazon, and for $7...Comparable to Huff's "How to Lie with Statistics" in its originality and straight-forwardness.

This book is so much fun! Solutions are easy to understand even for people without background knowledge of probability.

The problems in this book are a master class in the variety of and intellectual robustness within even simply stated questions. Some solutions border on the whimsical. Many have multiple approaches to their solution. The solutions are complete, but not overly explained.Many solutions leave some small and other thoughtful "leaps" for the full details to be appreciated. At first this can be annoying, but once you "step it up", you can't help getting productively engaged.

I got this book because I enjoy programming challenges, probability and logical reasoning and wanted to strengthen my math skills. With that said, I struggled right out of the gate with the problems. I understood the problems and was able to solve them on my own but when reading the solution and trying to follow through with the mathematical approach I found myself completely confused. The math isn't always intuitive and the author makes a few leaps during his explanations that not only could I not follow, but I couldn't recreate in my own math. This was frustrating to no end and I still don't understand a lot of the math he used to get to his solutions. It's a great book if you like challenges and probability and those who have a stronger math background than myself might enjoy this book a lot. However, for me this book just didn't quite make the cut and I'd really enjoy one with a better set of answers and explanations to go with.