This book provides an introduction to elementary probability and some of its simple applications. In particular, a principal purpose of the book is to help the student to solve problems. Probability is now being taught to an ever wider audience, not all of whom can be assumed to have a high level of problem-solving skills and mathematical background. It is also characteristic of probability that, even at an elementary level, few problems are entirely routine. Successful problem solving requires flexibility and imagination on the part of the student. Commonly, these skills are developed by observation of examples and practice at exercises, both of which this text aims to supply.

With these targets in mind, in each chapter of the book, the theoretical exposition is accompanied by a large number of examples and is followed by worked examples incorporating a cluster of exercises.