The purpose of the third edition of this book is to give a sound and self-contained (in the sense that the necessary probability theory is included) introduction to classical or mainstream statistical theory. The book is intended to be a textbook, aimed for use in the traditional full year upper-division undergraduate course in probability and statistics or for use as a text in a course designed for first year graduate students. No previous course in probability or statistics is needed in order to study the book. The book is designed to be used in either the quarter system or the semester system.

Alexander M. Mood:

Professor of Administration and

Director of Public Policy Research Organization

University of California, Irvine

Franklin A. Graybill:

Department of Statistics

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado

Duane C. Boes:

Department of Statistics

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado