Introduction to Probability for Computing

Learn about probability as it is used in computer science with this rigorous, yet highly accessible, undergraduate textbook. Fundamental probability concepts are explained in depth, prerequisite mathematics is summarized, and a wide range of computer science applications is described. Throughout, the material is presented in a “question and answer” style designed to encourage student engagement and understanding. Replete with almost 400 exercises, real-world computer science examples, and covering a wide range of topics from simulation with computer science workloads, to statistical inference, to randomized algorithms, to Markov models and queues, this interactive text is an invaluable learning tool whether your course covers probability with statistics, with stochastic processes, with randomized algorithms, or with simulation. The teaching package includes solutions, lecture slides, and lecture notes for students.

'Based on 20 years of teaching Computer Science and Operations Research at Carnegie Mellon University, Professor Harchol-Balter provides a unique presentation of probability and statistics that is both highly engaging and also strongly motivated by realworld computing applications that students will encounter in industry. This book is approachable and fun for undergraduate students, while also covering advanced concepts relevant to graduate students.' Eytan Modiano, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 'This book provides a fantastic introduction to probability for computer scientists and computing professionals, addressing concepts and techniques crucial to the design and analysis of randomized algorithms, to performing well-designed simulations, to statistical inference and machine learning, and more. Also contains many great exercises and examples. Highly recommend!' Avrim Blum, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, 'Mor Harchol-Balter's new book does a beautiful job of introducing students to probability! The book is full of great computer science-relevant examples, wonderful intuition, simple and clear explanations, and mathematical rigor. I love the question-answer style she uses, and could see using this book for students ranging from undergraduate students with zero prior exposure to probability all the way to graduate students (or researchers of any kind) who need to brush up and significantly deepen (and/or broaden) their knowledge of probability.' Anna Karlin, University of Washington, 'Probability is at the heart of modeling, design, and analysis of computer systems and networks. This book by a pioneer in the area is a beautiful introduction to the topic for undergraduate students. The material in the book introduces theoretical topics rigorously, but also motivates each topicwith practical applications. This textbook is an excellent resource for budding computer scientists who are interested in probability.' R. Srikant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 'I know probability theory, and have taught it to undergrads and grads at MIT, UC Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University. Yet this book has taught me some wonderfully interesting important material that I did not know. Mor is a great thinker, lecturer, and writer. I would love to have learned from this book as a student - and to have taught from it as an instructor!' Manuel Blum, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University

Mor Harchol-Balter is the Bruce J. Nelson Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. She is a Fellow of both ACM and IEEE. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the Herbert A. Simon Award for teaching excellence at CMU. She is also the author of the popular textbook Performance Analysis and Design of Computer Systems (Cambridge, 2013).