The Math That Explains Why Bell Curves Are Everywhere | Quanta Magazine
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The central limit theorem started as a bar trick for 18th-century gamblers. Now scientists rely on it every day.

No matter where you look, a bell curve is close by. Place a measuring cup in your backyard every time it rains and note the height of the water when it stops: Your data will conform to a bell curve. Record 100 people’s guesses at the number of jelly beans in a jar, and they’ll follow a bell curve. Measure enough women’s heights, men’s weights, SAT scores, marathon times — you’ll always get the…

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