Mathematics
Bayes' Theorem and Updating Beliefs
Quick fact
Bayes' theorem was discovered by Thomas Bayes in the 18th century, but only published posthumously. Today, it's a cornerstone of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever updated your opinion about someone after a surprising event? Bayes' theorem is the mathematical heart of that intuitive process, and it powers everything from spam filters to medical diagnoses.