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Probability vs Certainty - What's the difference?

probability | certainty |

As nouns the difference between probability and certainty

is that probability is the state of being probable; likelihood while certainty is the state of being certain.

probability

English

Noun

(wikipedia probability) (probabilities)
  • the state of being probable; likelihood
  • an event that is likely to occur
  • the relative likelihood of an event happening
  • (mathematics) a number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening
  • Derived terms

    * conditional probability * frequency probability * joint probability * propensity probability

    See also

    * odds * possibility * verisimilitude

    certainty

    English

    Noun

  • The state of being certain.
  • * Fisher Ames
  • The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes.
  • An instance of being certain.
  • A fact or truth unquestionably established.
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
  • Yet the truth is that City would probably have been coasting by that point if the referee, Michael Oliver, had not turned down three separate penalties, at least two of which could be accurately described as certainties .
  • * 1824 , (Walter Savage Landor), Imaginary Conversations Volume 1
  • Certainties are uninteresting and sating.

    Synonyms

    * (state of being certain) certitude

    Antonyms

    * (state of being certain) uncertainty