LAPLACE, Pierre Simon Marquis de (1749-1827). Théorie analytique des probabilités. [With the four supplements]. Paris: Veuve Courcier, 1812-1825. First edition, complete with all four supplements, of Laplace’s masterpiece: ‘the touchstone for all his work on probability’ (Stigler, p. 131), and the foundation work for all subsequent developments of pure and applied probability analysis. RBH/ABPC record just one other copy complete with all four supplements. Laplace ‘was among the most influential scientists in all history’ (DSB), to whom ‘on the whole the theory of probability is more indebted... than to any other mathematician’ (Todhunter). Motivated by problems arising, for instance, in the mathematical treatment of games of chance, Laplace used his epochal work Mémoire sur les suites (1782) to develop the general theory of a powerful power-series technique for solving finite-difference equations, or recurring relations, which he termed the ‘method of generating functions.’ In the present lot, he reproduces this Mémoire almost entirely, and makes repeated use of generating functions in solving a great variety of games of chance. It is Laplace’s extensive discussion of generating functions and the applications of them that is today the source of their widespread use in probability theory, combinatory analysis, and the solution of finite-difference equations and recurrence formulas. See DSB XV 367-76; Todhunter, History of the Theory of Probability, ch. 20; Stigler, The History of Statistics, pp.131 ff. 5 parts in 2 volumes, quarto (Théorie: 257 x 205mm, Supplements: 255 x 190mm). (Some spotting, a few quires in Théorie slightly stained in lower blank margin.) Later 19th-century bindings, the Théorie volume in quarter morocco, the Supplements volume in half cloth with paper label to spine (light edge wear to both).
LAPLACE, Pierre Simon Marquis de (1749-1827). Théorie analytique des probabilités. [With the four supplements]. Paris: Veuve Courcier, 1812-1825. First edition, complete with all four supplements, of Laplace’s masterpiece: ‘the touchstone for all his work on probability’ (Stigler, p. 131), and the foundation work for all subsequent developments of pure and applied probability analysis. RBH/ABPC record just one other copy complete with all four supplements. Laplace ‘was among the most influential scientists in all history’ (DSB), to whom ‘on the whole the theory of probability is more indebted... than to any other mathematician’ (Todhunter). Motivated by problems arising, for instance, in the mathematical treatment of games of chance, Laplace used his epochal work Mémoire sur les suites (1782) to develop the general theory of a powerful power-series technique for solving finite-difference equations, or recurring relations, which he termed the ‘method of generating functions.’ In the present lot, he reproduces this Mémoire almost entirely, and makes repeated use of generating functions in solving a great variety of games of chance. It is Laplace’s extensive discussion of generating functions and the applications of them that is today the source of their widespread use in probability theory, combinatory analysis, and the solution of finite-difference equations and recurrence formulas. See DSB XV 367-76; Todhunter, History of the Theory of Probability, ch. 20; Stigler, The History of Statistics, pp.131 ff. 5 parts in 2 volumes, quarto (Théorie: 257 x 205mm, Supplements: 255 x 190mm). (Some spotting, a few quires in Théorie slightly stained in lower blank margin.) Later 19th-century bindings, the Théorie volume in quarter morocco, the Supplements volume in half cloth with paper label to spine (light edge wear to both).
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