--- product_id: 5155840 title: "Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics)" price: "SAR 72" currency: SAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/5155840-fifty-challenging-problems-in-probability-with-solutions-dover-books-on store_origin: SA region: Saudi Arabia --- # Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) **Price:** SAR 72 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) - **How much does it cost?** SAR 72 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.sa](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/5155840-fifty-challenging-problems-in-probability-with-solutions-dover-books-on) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Can you solve the problem of "The Unfair Subway"? Marvin gets off work at random times between 3 and 5 p.m. His mother lives uptown, his girlfriend downtown. He takes the first subway that comes in either direction and eats dinner with the one he is delivered to. His mother complains that he never comes to see her, but he says she has a 50-50 chance. He has had dinner with her twice in the last 20 working days. Explain. Marvin's adventures in probability are one of the fifty intriguing puzzles that illustrate both elementary ad advanced aspects of probability, each problem designed to challenge the mathematically inclined. From "The Flippant Juror" and "The Prisoner's Dilemma" to "The Cliffhanger" and "The Clumsy Chemist," they provide an ideal supplement for all who enjoy the stimulating fun of mathematics.Professor Frederick Mosteller, who teaches statistics at Harvard University, has chosen the problems for originality, general interest, or because they demonstrate valuable techniques. In addition, the problems are graded as to difficulty and many have considerable stature. Indeed, one has "enlivened the research lives of many excellent mathematicians." Detailed solutions are included. There is every probability you'll need at least a few of them. Review: Cute problems - 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. Review: This is one amazing book. - 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. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #41,504 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #21 in Probability & Statistics (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 244 Reviews | ## Images ![Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81hR8jOVFjL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cute problems *by T***S on June 25, 2019* 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. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is one amazing book. *by S***I on December 20, 2016* 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. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ great brain workout for stat nerds *by M***C on April 8, 2026* picked this up to supplement my probability class and it is exactly what it sounds like, fifty problems that will make your brain hurt in a good way. some of them are pretty straightforward and others are genuinely tough so there is something for every level. the solutions are explained well enough that you can actually learn from them rather than just copying the answer. ## Frequently Bought Together - Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) - A Practical Guide To Quantitative Finance Interviews - Heard on The Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews (Revised 25th) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/5155840-fifty-challenging-problems-in-probability-with-solutions-dover-books-on](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/5155840-fifty-challenging-problems-in-probability-with-solutions-dover-books-on) --- *Product available on Desertcart Saudi Arabia* *Store origin: SA* *Last updated: 2026-06-08*