CHAPTER II. 



PASCAL AND FERMAT. 



10. The indications which we have given in tlie preceding 

 Chapter of the subsequent Theory of Probability are extremely 

 slight; and we find that \vriters on the subject have shewn a jus- 

 tifiable pride in connecting the true origin of their science with 

 the great name of Pascal. Thus, 



EUe doit la naissance h deux Georaetres frangais du dix-septieme 

 si^cle, si fecond en grands hommes et en grandes decouvertes, et peut- 

 ^tre de tons les siecles celiii qui fait le plus d'honneur a I'esprit 

 humain. Pascal et Fermat se proposerent et resolurent quelqucs pro- 

 blemes sur les probabilites... Laplace, Tlieorie . . .des Prob. 1st edition, 

 page 3. 



XJn probleme relatif aux jeux de liasard, propose a un austere jan- 

 seniste par un homme du monde a ete I'origine du calcul des probabilites. 

 Poisson, Recherches sur la Prob. page 1. 



The problem which the Chevalier de Mere (a reputed gamester) 

 proposed to the recluse of Port Royal (not yet witlidi-awn from the in- 

 terests of science by the more distracting contemplation of the "great- 

 ness and the misery of man''), was the first of a long series of problems, 

 destined to call into existence new methods in matliematical analvsis, 

 and to render valuable service in the practical concerns of life." Boole, 

 Laws of Thought, page 243. 



11. It appears then that the Chevalier de Mere proposed 

 certain questions to Pascal ; and Pascal con^esponded with Fer- 

 mat on the subject of these questions. Unfortunately only a 

 portion of the correspondence is now accessible. Three letters 



