Here is a "Must Read" for all those who hope to be able to
predict future lottery draws. Chapter 2 contains the most
applicable information.
http://ee.stanford.edu/~gray/sp.pdf
The following excerpts are from the Preface:
Nothing in nature is random . . . A thing appears random
only through the incompleteness of our knowledge.
Spinoza, Ethics I
(An LP Poster uses a paraphrase of this Spinoza quote as
his signature; I hope he checks out this book.)
I do not believe that God rolls dice.
attributed to Einstein
Laplace argued to the effect that given complete knowledge
of the physics of an experiment, the outcome must always be
predictable. This metaphysical argument must be tempered
with several facts. The relevant parameters may not be
measurable with sufficient precision due to mechanical or
theoretical limits. For example, the uncertainty principle
prevents the simultaneous accurate knowledge of both
position and momentum. The deterministic functions may be
too complex to compute in finite time. The computer itself
may make errors due to power failures, lightning, or the
general perfidy of inanimate objects. The experiment could
take place in a remote location with the parameters unknown
to the observer; for example, in a communication link, the
transmitted message is unknown a priori, for if it were not,
there would be no need for communication. The results of
the experiment could be reported by an unreliable witness -
either incompetent or dishonest. For these and other reasons,
it is useful to have a theory for the analysis and synthesis of
processes that behave in a random or unpredictable manner.
The goal is to construct mathematical models that lead to
reasonably accurate prediction of the long-term average
behavior of random processes. The theory should produce
good estimates of the average behavior of real processes and
thereby correct theoretical derivations with measurable results.
(Sound Interesting?)
--Jimmy4164