目的系统探讨和分析惠更斯在《论赌博中的计算》中所给出的14个概率命题,以揭示其概率思想。方法历史分析和文献考证。结果惠更斯首次提出数学期望的概念,创立了“惠更斯分析法”,第一次把概率论建立在公理、命题和问题上而构成一个较完整的理论体系,第一次将以往概率论知识系统化、公式化及一般化。结论惠更斯的概率思想奠定了概率论的基础,且对今日数学创造仍有重要启发意义。
Aim To systematically discuss and analyze Huygens' treatise on probability. Methods Bymeans of historical analysis and literature reviewing. Results The work introduced the concept of expectation, replaced the previously numerical results about probability theory by system, firstly formulating and generalizing the problem and found Huygens' analytical method. Conclusion The work is an important turning point in the development history of probability theory. His fundamental work gave the probability theory a key development. Up to now the thoughts about probability in these problems still have far-reaching significance on the modern mathematical creativity.