Revisiting the sources of Borel's interest in probability: Continued fractions, social involvement, Volterra's prolusione

Abstract

In this paper, we revisit the origins of Emile Borel's developing interest in probability around 1905. This resulted from new findings in his research on continued fraction, but it also cannot be separated from the discovery of new applications for the mathematics of randomness (such as biology or economics) and of their importance as a life-changing tool for the citizen. In particular, we underline the role of a paper published by Vito Volterra in Borel's Revue du Mois. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.