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Formulation

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Apocalypse When?

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books ((POPS))

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Abstract

Let us begin by examining the most basic formula for an entity’s survival. The equation gives its decreasing probability of survival starting at birth. For a stage production that would be curtain time on opening night. Later we shall adjust that formula to give the entity’s survival probabiliy starting at a later time when it is observed alive.

The value of a formalism lies not only in the range of problems to which it can be successfully applied, but equally in the degree to which it encourages physical intuition in guessing the solutions of intractable problems. —Sir Alfred Brian Pippard

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© 2009 Praxis Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK

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Wells, W. (2009). Formulation. In: Apocalypse When?. Springer Praxis Books. Praxis. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09837-1_2

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