USE OF CERTAIN RULES AND METHODS OF PROBABILITY-THEORY AND MATHEMATICAL-STATISTICS IN MEASURING LOW ACTIVITIES

The probabilistic mechanism of forming the summed distributions of the background and sample activity where they are measured together is di scussed taking into account the dependences between them. The probabil istic mechanisms of convoluting these distributions (forming their sum ) are different if the background and activity are dependent on or ind ependent of each other. In those instances where the sensitivity in a separate measurement cannot be increased in any manner, a correct quan titative estimate of the measurement can only be obtained by applying the corresponding rules of mathematical statistics. Concepts are formu lated that assist in making a correct estimate of the result and in pe rforming the measurement in general.