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Pascal's Triangle: The Story of Chance and Risk

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This module briefly traces the mathematical achievements of Blaise Pascal, the inventor of probability theory, which form the foundation of modern science and statistics. Explains the popular conception that reality is predictable, rather than chaotic; that it tends to obey a bell curve. Connects this to Rasmussen's Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), the foundation of DHS' risk assessment of critical infrastructure (CI). Uses the 1990s telecommunications industry as an example. Finally, addresses the limitations of PRA.
30 min  |  Jun 2011  |  Ted Lewis - Executive Director, NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security
pascal
probability theory
probabilistic risk assessment (pra)
critical infrastructure


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