Something funny is afoot in Gotham City, but Batman and Batwoman aren't laughing. Robbery victims are handing over their loot and seem downright delighted to do so. While investigating this odd behaviour, the Dark Knight and his crime-fighting cousin uncover the use of Joker toxin. But the Joker is locked up in Arkham Asylum, or is he? Can Batman and Batwoman get to the bottom of the jester's joke before the punchline knocks out half of Gotham City? Find out in this action-packed chapter book for DC Super Hero fans.

A storm is brewing in Central City! The Weather Wizard has unleashed the fury of his giant weather wand in a bid to get the city's citizens to cough up their cash. Only when his fundraising efforts are complete will he leave Central City for good. Now it's up to The Flash to outrun the lightning and bring his own thunder to the climate criminal. Can the Scarlet Speedster stop the Weather Wizard before the villain either robs the city blind or destroys it in the process? Find out in this action-packed chapter book for DC Super Hero fans!

Volume II of this two-volume text and reference work concentrates on the applications of probability theory to statistics, e.g., the art of calculating densities of complicated transformations of random vectors, exponential models, consistency of maximum estimators, and asymptotic normality of maximum estimators. It also discusses topics of a pure probabilistic nature, such as stochastic processes, regular conditional probabilities, strong Markov chains, random walks, and optimal stopping strategies in random games. Unusual topics include the transformation theory of densities using Hausdorff measures, the consistency theory using the upper definition function, and the asymptotic normality of maximum estimators using twice stochastic differentiability. With an emphasis on applications to statistics, this is a continuation of the first volume, though it may be used independently of that book. Assuming a knowledge of linear algebra and analysis, as well as a course in modern probability, Volume II looks at statistics from a probabilistic point of view, touching only slightly on the practical computation aspects.

Volume I of this two-volume text and reference work begins by providing a foundation in measure and integration theory. It then offers a systematic introduction to probability theory, and in particular, those parts that are used in statistics. This volume discusses the law of large numbers for independent and non-independent random variables, transforms, special distributions, convergence in law, the central limit theorem for normal and infinitely divisible laws, conditional expectations and martingales. Unusual topics include the uniqueness and convergence theorem for general transforms with characteristic functions, Laplace transforms, moment transforms and generating functions as special examples. The text contains substantive applications, e.g., epidemic models, the ballot problem, stock market models and water reservoir models, and discussion of the historical background. The exercise sets contain a variety of problems ranging from simple exercises to extensions of the theory. Volume II of this two-volume text and reference work concentrates on the applications of probability theory to statistics, e.g., the art of calculating densities of complicated transformations of random vectors, exponential models, consistency of maximum estimators, and asymptotic normality of maximum estimators. It also discusses topics of a pure probabilistic nature, such as stochastic processes, regular conditional probabilities, strong Markov chains, random walks, and optimal stopping strategies in random games. Unusual topics include the transformation theory of densities using Hausdorff measures, the consistency theory using the upper definition function, and the asymptotic normality of maximum estimators using twice stochastic differentiability. With an emphasis on applications to statistics, this is a continuation of the first volume, though it may be used independently of that book. Assuming a knowledge of linear algebra and analysis, as well as a course in modern probability, Volume II looks at statistics from a probabilistic point of view, touching only slightly on the practical computation aspects.

Discrete probability theory and the theory of algorithms have become close partners over the last ten years, though the roots of this partnership go back much longer. The papers in this volume address the latest developments in this active field. They are from the IMA Workshops "Probability and Algorithms" and "The Finite Markov Chain Renaissance." They represent the current thinking of many of the world's leading experts in the field. Researchers and graduate students in probability, computer science, combinatorics, and optimization theory will all be interested in this collection of articles. The techniques developed and surveyed in this volume are still undergoing rapid development, and many of the articles of the collection offer an expositionally pleasant entree into a research area of growing importance.

Most probability problems involve random variables indexed by space and/or time. These problems almost always have a version in which space and/or time are taken to be discrete. This volume deals with areas in which the discrete version is more natural than the continuous one, perhaps even the only one than can be formulated without complicated constructions and machinery. The 5 papers of this volume discuss problems in which there has been significant progress in the last few years; they are motivated by, or have been developed in parallel with, statistical physics. They include questions about asymptotic shape for stochastic growth models and for random clusters; existence, location and properties of phase transitions; speed of convergence to equilibrium in Markov chains, and in particular for Markov chains based on models with a phase transition; cut-off phenomena for random walks. The articles can be read independently of each other. Their unifying theme is that of models built on discrete spaces or graphs. Such models are often easy to formulate. Correspondingly, the book requires comparatively little previous knowledge of the machinery of probability.

Stochastic calculus has important applications to mathematical finance. This book will appeal to practitioners and students who want an elementary introduction to these areas.

From the reviews: "As the preface says, 'This is a text with an attitude, and it is designed to reflect, wherever possible and appropriate, a prejudice for the concrete over the abstract'. This is also reflected in the style of writing which is unusually lively for a mathematics book." --ZENTRALBLATT MATH

Most probability problems involve random variables indexed by space and/or time. These problems almost always have  a version in which space and/or time are taken to be discrete. This volume deals with areas in which the discrete version is more natural than the continuous one, perhaps even the only one than can be formulated without complicated constructions and machinery. The 5 papers of this volume discuss problems in which there has been significant progress in the last few years; they are motivated by, or have been developed in parallel with, statistical physics. They include questions about asymptotic shape for stochastic growth models and for random clusters; existence, location and properties of phase transitions; speed of convergence to equilibrium in Markov chains, and in particular for Markov chains based on models with a phase transition; cut-off phenomena for random walks. The articles can be read independently of each other. Their unifying theme is that of models built on discrete spaces or graphs. Such models are often easy to formulate. Correspondingly, the book requires comparatively little previous knowledge of the machinery of probability.

This lively, problem-oriented text, first published in 2004, is designed to coach readers toward mastery of the most fundamental mathematical inequalities. With the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality as the initial guide, the reader is led through a sequence of fascinating problems whose solutions are presented as they might have been discovered - either by one of history's famous mathematicians or by the reader. The problems emphasize beauty and surprise, but along the way readers will find systematic coverage of the geometry of squares, convexity, the ladder of power means, majorization, Schur convexity, exponential sums, and the inequalities of Hoelder, Hilbert, and Hardy. The text is accessible to anyone who knows calculus and who cares about solving problems. It is well suited to self-study, directed study, or as a supplement to courses in analysis, probability, and combinatorics.

This lively, problem-oriented text, first published in 2004, is designed to coach readers toward mastery of the most fundamental mathematical inequalities. With the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality as the initial guide, the reader is led through a sequence of fascinating problems whose solutions are presented as they might have been discovered - either by one of history's famous mathematicians or by the reader. The problems emphasize beauty and surprise, but along the way readers will find systematic coverage of the geometry of squares, convexity, the ladder of power means, majorization, Schur convexity, exponential sums, and the inequalities of Hoelder, Hilbert, and Hardy. The text is accessible to anyone who knows calculus and who cares about solving problems. It is well suited to self-study, directed study, or as a supplement to courses in analysis, probability, and combinatorics.

Discrete probability theory and the theory of algorithms have become close partners over the last ten years, though the roots of this partnership go back much longer. The papers in this volume address the latest developments in this active field. They are from the IMA Workshops "Probability and Algorithms" and "The Finite Markov Chain Renaissance." They represent the current thinking of many of the world's leading experts in the field.

Researchers and graduate students in probability, computer science, combinatorics, and optimization theory will all be interested in this collection of articles. The techniques developed and surveyed in this volume are still undergoing rapid development, and many of the articles of the collection offer an expositionally pleasant entree into a research area of growing importance.

Life flows through the universe like a river from an infinite Source to you. Mostly unseen by our physical senses, it has power, awareness, intelligence, and the potential to create anything imaginable. Life engages us constantly, but developing the insight to see past our superficial experience requires understanding and practice. New potentials and visions unseen before are revealed. Spiritual laws are simple and precise but require understanding and consciousness. Through our ignorance and the effects of a cold world, our connection with life has been reduced to a mere fraction of its potential. Developing your consciousness allows you to keep out the influences of a negative world as well as recognize the divinity within. The relationship between the consciousness of life and the divinity within your being is fundamental to the ascension process. Understanding this process will naturally reflect on your own development and allow you to navigate through your life more gracefully, effectively, and with more insight. Within this book are many tools to assist you with reclaiming your power and achieving your true freedom.
Transform your being into its true grandeur
Learn how to live life consciously
Improve your meditation practice
Understand the twelve steps of the ascension process
Gain insight into the levels within mass consciousness
Develop solutions to many of life's common obstacles
Apply powerful spiritual laws
Reclaim your power and gain your freedom

Life flows through the universe like a river from an infinite Source to you. Mostly unseen by our physical senses, it has power, awareness, intelligence, and the potential to create anything imaginable. Life engages us constantly, but developing the insight to see past our superficial experience requires understanding and practice. New potentials and visions unseen before are revealed. Spiritual laws are simple and precise but require understanding and consciousness. Through our ignorance and the effects of a cold world, our connection with life has been reduced to a mere fraction of its potential. Developing your consciousness allows you to keep out the influences of a negative world as well as recognize the divinity within. The relationship between the consciousness of life and the divinity within your being is fundamental to the ascension process. Understanding this process will naturally reflect on your own development and allow you to navigate through your life more gracefully, effectively, and with more insight. Within this book are many tools to assist you with reclaiming your power and achieving your true freedom.
Transform your being into its true grandeur
Learn how to live life consciously
Improve your meditation practice
Understand the twelve steps of the ascension process
Gain insight into the levels within mass consciousness
Develop solutions to many of life's common obstacles
Apply powerful spiritual laws
Reclaim your power and gain your freedom

Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level? Taking Action: Implementing Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices in Grades 6-8 offers a coherent set of professional learning experiences designed to foster teachers' understanding of the effective mathematics teaching practices and their ability to apply those practices in their own classrooms. The book examines in depth what each teaching practice would look like in a middle school classroom, with narrative cases, classroom videos, and real student work, presenting a rich array of experiences that bring the practices to life. Chapters are sequenced to scaffold teachers' exploration of the effective mathematics teaching practices and furnish activities and materials for hands-on learning experiences around each individual teaching practice and across the set of the eight effective practices as a whole. Specific examples of each practice are presented in context, providing real-life instantiations of what the practice “looks” and “sounds” like in the classroom, with a careful analysis that links the practice to student learning and equity. The reader is invited to personally engage in two types of activities that run throughout the book: Analysing Teaching and Learning, in which tasks or situations are presented to the reader to consider, work out, and reflect on, and Taking Action in Your Classroom, in which concrete suggestions are provided for exploring specific teaching practices in the classroom. Tools, such as a lesson plan template, a task analysis guide, and practices for orchestrating productive discussions are offered to assist teachers in applying the ideas discussed in the book to their own practices. For teachers who aspire to ambitious teaching that will provide each and every one of their students with more opportunities to experience mathematics as meaningful, challenging, and worthwhile, Taking Action: Implementing Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices in Grades 6-8 is certain to be your number one go-to resource.