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BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1703). Ars conjectandi, opus posthumum. Accedit tractatus de seriebus infinitis, et epistola gallicè scripta de Ludo Pilae Reticularis. Edited by Nicolaus Bernoulli (1687-1759). Basel: Thurneisen Brothers, 1713.
4° (201 x 165mm). With the errata and blank leaf. Woodcut title device, folding sheet with woodcut diagrams, 2 folding letterpress tables, folding plate of woodcut diagrams. (Title with a few stains, very light spotting, a little stronger at beginning and end, a few leaves with a small light marginal waterstain.) Modern marbled calf (new endpapers). Provenance: ‘Q*G’ (stamp on title) – 5 line note in manuscript about the author (on verso of final blank).
FIRST EDITION OF 'THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT BOOK ON PROBABILITY THEORY’ which ‘set forth the fundamental principles of the calculus of probabilities and contained the first suggestion that the theory could extend beyond the boundaries of mathematics to apply to civic, moral and economic affairs' (Norman). Ars Conjectandi deals with the theory of combinations, gives concrete examples on the expectation of profit in games, and considers probability from a philosophical perspective. The appendix, written in French, explains the various strategies in real tennis, jeu de paume, and the probabilities of winning in different situations. Bernoulli discusses players of uneven strength, games of two versus one, and other permutations of the game. Dibner Heralds, 110; Grolier/Horblit 12; Norman 216; PMM 179; Sparrow Milestones, p.21.
4° (201 x 165mm). With the errata and blank leaf. Woodcut title device, folding sheet with woodcut diagrams, 2 folding letterpress tables, folding plate of woodcut diagrams. (Title with a few stains, very light spotting, a little stronger at beginning and end, a few leaves with a small light marginal waterstain.) Modern marbled calf (new endpapers). Provenance: ‘Q*G’ (stamp on title) – 5 line note in manuscript about the author (on verso of final blank).
FIRST EDITION OF 'THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT BOOK ON PROBABILITY THEORY’ which ‘set forth the fundamental principles of the calculus of probabilities and contained the first suggestion that the theory could extend beyond the boundaries of mathematics to apply to civic, moral and economic affairs' (Norman). Ars Conjectandi deals with the theory of combinations, gives concrete examples on the expectation of profit in games, and considers probability from a philosophical perspective. The appendix, written in French, explains the various strategies in real tennis, jeu de paume, and the probabilities of winning in different situations. Bernoulli discusses players of uneven strength, games of two versus one, and other permutations of the game. Dibner Heralds, 110; Grolier/Horblit 12; Norman 216; PMM 179; Sparrow Milestones, p.21.
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