Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Hardcover)

by Roy D. Yates (Author), David J. Goodman (Author) "Event-starting You have read the "Message to Students" in the Preface..." (more)
Key Phrases: Math Fact, Continuing Example, Problems Difficulty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What Does Winning the Lottery Have To do with Engineering? Whether you're trying to win millions in the lottery or designing a complex computer network, you're applying probability theory. Although you encounter probability applications everywhere, the theory can be deceptively difficult to learn and apply correctly. This text will help you grasp the concepts of probability and stochastic processes and apply them throughout your careers. These concepts are clearly presented throughout the book as a sequence of building blocks that are clearly identified as either an axiom, definition, or theorem. This approach provides you with a better understanding of the material which you'll be able to use to solve practical problems. Key Features:
* The text follows a single model that begins with an experiment consisting of a procedure and observations.
* The mathematics of discrete random variables appears separately from the mathematics of continuous random variables.
* Stochastic processes are introduced in Chapter 6, immediately after the presentation of discrete and continuous random variables. Subsequent material, including central limit theorem approximations, laws of large numbers, and statistical inference, then use examples that reinforce stochastic process concepts.
* An abundance of exercises are provided that help students learn how to put the theory to use.

From the Publisher
Applications of probability theory appear throughout modern society, such as state lotteries, weather forecasts, insurance prices. Professionals use probability theory as an astute tool for decision making. Electrical and computer engineers use probability to design computer networks, test integrated circuits, and evaluate communications systems. This book is written to help engineers clearly grasp the concepts of probability and stochastic processes. It presents the theory of probability and stochastic process as a sequence of building blocks that are clearly identified. Each block is either an axiom, a definition, or a theorem. Intuitive explanations of new concepts are interspersed with mathematical statements.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 454 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471178373
• ISBN-13: 978-0471178378
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #614,066 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book to Teach From..., December 28, 2000

By A Customer

I taught an undergraduate course in probability and stochastic processes last summer using this book. This book is so clearly written and laid out that for the first time in 20 years of teaching I could lecture directly from the book rather than having to spend the time to make up a set of notes. The many worked out problems are very helpful in illustrating concepts. All in all a great book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty good book indeed!, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

I had to buy this book for a class for my EE degree- I must say as much as I hate probability and the like, this book was one of the best on the subject that I've ever come across. It really feels as though this is a 'friendly' book, just like it says in its title. I didn't give it a full five stars, because I think it should include a few more worked out examples per section. Nevertheless, it still has a fair number of worked examples and also quizes which are solved at the end of the book. All and all, I really enjoyed the book and consequently the course.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A supportive reader, January 13, 2005

By	Horsefly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Hardcover)

Let me begin by saying this book is written at a level for senior level B.S. and first year M.S. engineering (not math) students. It is the best book I've seen for introducing probability, random variables and related concepts to this student demographic (particularly to Elec. Eng. or Comp. Eng majors). It has all the introductory concepts and lays out the foundation for later subject matter in a seemless, easy to read and friendly manner. To qualify this statement, let me say that I had taken a similar engineering-related probability course in school a few years back that covered most of the same topics found in the Yates and Goodman book. I was confused about several issues even after I completed the course. It wasn't until I found this text and began reading it that all the questions and doubts I'd had went away. This text doesn't cover more advanced probability related concepts like entropy, mutual information and a host of others. What it does do is clearly provide you with the foundation in probability so that you can later read other more "involved" books like Stark and Woods or Papoulis and Pillai without the agony.