Notation in Probability and Statistics - Probability Theory

Probability Theory

  • Random variables are usually written in upper case roman letters: X, Y, etc.
  • Particular realizations of a random variable are written in corresponding lower case letters. For example x1, x2, …, xn could be a sample corresponding to the random variable X.
  • or indicates the probability that events A and B both occur.
  • or indicates the probability of either event A or event B occurring ("or" in this case means one or the other or both).
  • σ-algebras are usually written with upper case calligraphic (e.g. for the set of sets on which we define the probability P)
  • Probability density functions (pdfs) and probability mass functions are denoted by lower case letters, e.g. f(x).
  • Cumulative distribution functions (cdfs) are denoted by upper case letters, e.g. F(x).
  • In particular, the pdf of the standard normal distribution is denoted by φ(z), and its cdf by Φ(z).
  • Some common operators:
  • E : expected value of X
  • var : variance of X
  • cov : covariance of X and Y

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