The Coefficient of Dependence and Conditioning

Abstract

The Coefficient of Dependence is introduced as an avenue for aiding student understanding of dependent, statistical events. The essential features of this coefficient are studied using different models and explored with multiple examples. Conditional probabilities are ultimately understood to be simple transformations of marginal probabilities via the Coefficient of Dependence, which is an idea well within the grasp of all undergraduate students. For completeness, proofs for the main results are relegated to the appendix for those interested.