Mathematics
Bayesian Statistics
Quick fact
Bayesian statistics is named after Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century Presbyterian minister, and his theorem was published posthumously by a friend. It remained controversial for centuries but now powers everything from spam filters to self-driving cars.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard that 'taking new evidence into account' is wise. But how do you do it mathematically? Bayesian statistics provides a precise framework for updating your beliefs as you see new data.