Blaise Pascal’s 17th-century French mathematician proves that gambling may not be as much a goal as a means. It can also be a great exercise in mind, such as in Pascal’s and Fermat’s case. Fermat is credited with the invention of calculations, now called the theory of probabilities. One of their contemporaries stated that the theory of probabilities was formed when Pascal and Fermat began playing gambling.
The two scientists made summaries of the theory of probabilities through correspondence. The relevant material was obtained during their leisure visits to the gambling house. Pascal’s treatise resulted from this correspondence, a “completely new composition about accidental combinations that govern the gambling game.”
Pascal’s work almost eliminates the phantoms associated with luck and chance in gambling games by returning them with cold statistics calculated employing the arithmetic brain. It is difficult to imagine the riot that the invention caused among gamblers. Although we treat the theory of probabilities as trivial, only experts are knowledgeable about its core principles. However, everyone can understand its fundamental principle. However, in the time of the French mathematician, all gamblers were obsessed with notions like “divine intention,” “lap of Fortune,” or other things that added mystical tones to their obsession with the game. Pascal strongly opposes this attitude towards the game. “Fluctuations in happiness and luck are subordinated to considerations based upon fairness which aim to give every player what he owes him.”
On intellectual definitions
Pascal made mathematics a fantastic art of foreseeing. It’s more than impressive that, unlike Galileo, who did a lot of tedious experiments with multiple throwing dice, the French scientist didn’t spend much time on these long-winded experiments. Pascal believes that the unique feature of the art and science of mathematic consideration is its ability to generate results from “mind foreseeing” rather than experiments. This results in mathematical precision combined with the uncertainty of chance. This ambiguity gave our method its odd name, “mathematics-of-chance.” Pascal’s invention was followed by the “method of mathematical anticipation.”
Pascal wrote that stoked money no longer belonged to gamesters. Players can lose nths of their money and still gain something, even though most players don’t know it. It is something virtual. You cannot touch it nor put it in your pocket. The gambler must have some intellectual ability. This is the “right to expect regular gains a chance can offer according to the initial terms – stakes.”
The expectation of gain is justifiable and reasonable. It may not be so encouraging, however. The dryness of the formulation is negated if you pay attention to the word combination “regular gains.” Another matter is that someone hotter will more likely pay attention to “chance” or “can give.” However, it could likewise be the case that they are wrong.
The French scientist uses his mathematical expectation method to calculate specific values of “right for gains” depending on various initial terms. Mathematical have a new definition of right that differs from those used in law and ethics.
“Pascal’s Triangle” or where theory fails to predict probabilities
Pascal summarized the results of these experiments using the so-called “arithmetic triangle” consisting of numbers. It allows you to predict the likelihood of different gains if you apply it.
“Pascal’s triangle” was more like a magic table of kabbalists to the commoner than a magical Buddhist mandala. The 17th-century illiterate public did not understand the invention. Uneducated gamblers felt almost religious when they saw the theory of probabilities presented in graphic tables and figures and proved by real games. This led to the belief that “Pascal’s triangle” could have helped predict world disasters and other natural disasters.
Although the theory of probabilities should be considered in conjunction with its definition, it is essential not to mix them. “Pascal’s triangle” does not foreshadow the future deal in any particular case. The theory of probabilities is only applicable to long-term series of chances. Only in this situation the number of possibilities, series, and progressions that are constant and known in advance can be used to influence the decision of a skilled gambler for a specific stake (card, lead, etc.). Eyeless destiny governs these things – Pascal never debated them.
Pascal’s invention is more remarkable when you consider that the famous triangle was discovered by a Muslim mathematician from specific religious orders centuries ago. This information could not have been obtained by European Pascal.
This data proves once more that the mathematical patterns of any process remain the same regardless of space or time and the whims and desires of the so-called Fortune. This fact was embraced by Pythagoreans, philosophers who emotionally and deeply felt it.
One to thirty-five
Pascal was more frequently faced with similar problems related to the game that caused controversy in French gambling houses and aristocratic mansions. One of his aristocratic acquaintances suggested a problem to Blaise.
The problem was dice. The problem was determining how many throws are theoretically required so that the chance of winning (two sixes) would outweigh all other outcomes. This is as challenging as you might think. It’s easy to see that there are only 36 possible combinations of numbers in the game with two bones, and only one combination gives double six. It is evident to any rational person that a one-time throw has only one chance to win thirty-five.
These simple calculations can numb dice-throwers, but the joy of the lucky few who throw double six is incredible. They know precisely the devil number and opposite outcomes that could have swayed their luck.