Now available in a fully revised and updated second edition, this well established textbook provides a straightforward introduction to the theory of probability. The presentation is entertaining without any sacrifice of rigour; important notions are covered with the clarity that the subject demands. Topics covered include conditional probability, independence, discrete and continuous random variables, basic combinatorics, generating functions and limit theorems, and an introduction to Markov chains. The text is accessible to undergraduate students and provides numerous worked examples and exercises to help build the important skills necessary for problem solving.

‘… this book is a superb resource of theory and application, which should be on every lecturer’s shelves, and those of many students. You may never need to buy another book on probability.’

Keith Hirst Source: The Mathematical Gazette

‘Excellent! A vast number of well-chosen worked examples and exercises guide the reader through the basic theory of probability at the elementary level … an excellent text which I am sure will give a lot of pleasure to students and teachers alike.’

International Statistics Institute

‘… would make a fine addition to an undergraduate library. A student with a solid background in calculus, linear algebra, and set theory will find many useful tools of elementary probability here.’

Phil Gilbert Source: The Mathematics Teacher

‘Stirzaker does an excellent job of developing problem-solving skills in an introductory probability text. Numerous examples and practice exercises are provided that only serve to enhance a student’s problem solving abilities … Highly recommended.’

D. J. Gougeon Source: Choice

‘The book would make an excellent text for the properly prepared class, a solid instructor’s reference for both probability applications and problems, as well as a fine work for purposes of self-study.’

J. Philip Smith Source: School Science and Mathematics

'This book is a valuable resource for anyone teaching probability-and, accordingly, I am glad to have it.'

Source: The Journal of the Royal Statistical Society

'The strong feature of the textbook is a choice of good examples … the book is suitable for a first university course in probability and very useful for self-study.'

Source: EMS Newsletter

'As the first edition, the book is very well written, in a clear, detailed and readable style. It is accessible for undergraduate students and would make a good textbook for first courses on probability or for self-study.'

Source: Zentralblatt MATH