[Grizwold]

Hi Paul,

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If the probability of any particular outcome is zero, how does anything ever happen? (assuming something with a zero probability cannot happen)

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...a continuous distribution is made up of an infinite number of mutually exclusive possibilities…

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A loose example to illustrate this statement:

Assume a normal distribution represents the distance you walk every day. The mean is 5 miles and the standard deviation is 1.01 miles.

What are the chances you will walk exactly 5.53 miles tomorrow? 0. Why? This is where the continuous distribution comes in. Believing there is some chance you walked exactly 5.53 miles that day, you measure the distance on your magic. The ruler reads 5.53 miles, but how do you know it was not 5.531 or 5.529? If you determine it’s definitely between 5.531 and 5.529 on your magic ruler, how do you it’s not 5.5301 or 5.53000000000001? It will never be exactly 5.53. All you can say is that for sure it is between 5.31 and 5.529, and give the probability of that.

Clark