CHAPTER XVII.

THE LAW OF ERROR.

1. The Law of Error 374

2. Establishment of the Law of Error 375

3. Herschel’s Geometrical Proof 377

4. Laplace’s and Quetelet’s Proof of the Law 378

5. Logical Origin of the Law of Error 383

6. Verification of the Law of Error 383

7. The Probable Mean Result 385

8. The Probable Error of Results 386

9. Rejection of the Mean Result 389

10. Method of Least Squares 393

11. Works upon the Theory of Probability 394

12. Detection of Constant Errors 396

BOOK IV.

INDUCTIVE INVESTIGATION.