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Principles of Data Science

You're reading from   Principles of Data Science Understand, analyze, and predict data using Machine Learning concepts and tools

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Product type Paperback
Published in Dec 2018
Publisher Packt
ISBN-13 9781789804546
Length 424 pages
Edition 2nd Edition
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Authors (3):
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Sunil Kakade Sunil Kakade
Author Profile Icon Sunil Kakade
Sunil Kakade
Sinan Ozdemir Sinan Ozdemir
Author Profile Icon Sinan Ozdemir
Sinan Ozdemir
Marco Tibaldeschi Marco Tibaldeschi
Author Profile Icon Marco Tibaldeschi
Marco Tibaldeschi
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Table of Contents (17) Chapters Close

Preface 1. How to Sound Like a Data Scientist 2. Types of Data FREE CHAPTER 3. The Five Steps of Data Science 4. Basic Mathematics 5. Impossible or Improbable - A Gentle Introduction to Probability 6. Advanced Probability 7. Basic Statistics 8. Advanced Statistics 9. Communicating Data 10. How to Tell If Your Toaster Is Learning – Machine Learning Essentials 11. Predictions Don't Grow on Trees - or Do They? 12. Beyond the Essentials 13. Case Studies 14. Building Machine Learning Models with Azure Databricks and Azure Machine Learning service Other Books You May Enjoy Index

Random variables

A random variable uses real numerical values to describe a probabilistic event. In our previous work with variables (both in math and programming), we were used to the fact that a variable takes on a certain value. For example, we might have a right-angled triangle in which we are given the variable h for the hypotenuse, and we must figure out the length of the hypotenuse. We also might have the following, in Python:

Random variables

Both of these variables are equal to one value at a time. In a random variable, we are subject to randomness, which means that our variables' values are, well, just that, variable! They might take on multiple values depending on the environment.

A random variable still, as shown previously, holds a value. The main distinction between variables as we have seen them and a random variable is the fact that a random variable's value may change depending on the situation.

However, if a random variable can have many values, how do we keep track of them all...

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