PREFACE

This little book must not be regarded as an exhaustive text hook on the Theory of Life Contingencies. It was written for the use of the authors' classes in this University, and covers only so much of the theory as we have been able to bring before our classes during a course extending over one academic year.

We have learned that students find their greatest difficulty in understanding the notation—in attaching precise meanings to the symbols used and in stating the meanings of the identities in their own words. We have attempted to help the student in this direction and to encourage him to interpret the results of his work.

We have tried as far as possible to confine ourselves to the mathematical theory and to avoid references to "Office Practice".

Our thanks are due to B. T. Holmes, J. D. Burk, and G. de B. Robinson for reading the manuscript and for making valuable suggestions.

13. A. MACKENZIE

14. E. SHEPPARD

University of Toronto,
November 1931.