Math 380 - Probability Theory
Spring 2008

Instructor: Elizabeth Meckes

Office: Yost 208

Phone: 368-5015

Email: ese3 [at] cwru.edu

Office Hours: MWF 11:30 - 12:30 or by appointment

Textbook: A First Course in Probability, 7e by Sheldon Ross

Topics: We will cover most of chapters 1 through 8, with additional material if time permits. The topics of these chapters are: combinatorial analysis, axioms of probability, conditional probability and independence, random variables, continuous random variables, jointly distributed random variables, properties of expectation, and limit theorems. In addition to attending the lectures, you are expected to read the text book as not all material will be discussed in class.

Grading: There will be one midterm (worth 20% of the course grade), one final (worth 40%) and weekly homework assignments (worth 40%). Selected homework problems will be graded.

Homework Problems: Doing the homework problems is probably the single biggest factor in determining how much you get out of the course. If you are having trouble with the problems, please come ask for help; you will learn much more (and probably get a rather better grade) if you figure out all of the homework problems, possibly with help in office hours, than if you do them alone when you can and skip the ones you can't. Homework is weekly, due at the beginning of class on Fridays. I strongly suggest starting early so that there is time to ask for help if you need it. Problems will be posted below; selected problems will be graded. You may discuss the homework with other students, however, you must write up solutions on your own.

Assignments:
For January 23:
Chapter 1 problems 4, 10, 14, 20, 21, 22, 32 and theoretical exercises 6, 8, 11, 12, 20.
For January 30:
Chapter 2 problems 2, 6, 9, 14, 16 and theoretical exercises 2, 5, 9, 11(just prove Bonferroni's inequality).
For February 6:
Chapter 2 problems 26, 27, 32, 44, 45 and theoretical exercises 17, 19, 20, 21.
For February 13:
Chapter 3 problems 8, 13, 18, 22, 27, 37 and theoretical exercises 3, 6, 9.
For February 20:
Chapter 3 problems 44, 46, 67, 86 and theoretical exercises 14, 16, 28, 29.
For February 27:
Chapter 4 problems 6, 15, 17, 20, 21, 24 and theoretical exercises 1, 4, 6.
For March 23:
Chapter 4 problems 53, 65 and theoretical exercises 13, 27, 29. Chapter 5 problems 6, 17, 18 and theoretical exercises 2, 6.
For March 27:
Chapter 5 problems 21, 31, 35 and theoretical exercises 8, 12, 26, 28, 30.
For April 3:
Chapter 6 problems 2, 8, 11, 15, 17, 20 and theoretical exercises 2, 6, 9, 11.
For April 10:
Chapter 6 problems 24, 32, 44 and theoretical exercises 14, 18, 22, 23. Chapter 7 problems 2, 3 and theoretical exercise 7.
For April 17:
Chapter 7 problems 9, 24, 38, 39, 47, 56 and theoretical exercises 8, 16, 17, 27.
For April 24:
Chapter 8 problems 2, 3, 4, 18, 20 and theoretical exercises 2, 4, 5, 7, 8.