The Galton Board: Randomness and the Gaussian Curve
The Galton Board, also known as the quincunx, is a simple yet powerful device that demonstrates randomness and the beauty of probability. Invented by Sir Francis Galton, to demonstrate the Central limit theorem, this board visually illustrates how individual random events can combine to form a predictable pattern: the Gaussian, or normal, distribution. What Is a Galton Board? At its core, the Galton Board is a vertical frame with rows of pegs. When a bead is dropped from the top, it encounters the pegs, each of which deflects it randomly left or right. By the time the bead reaches the bottom, it lands in one of many bins. Drop thousands of beads, and you’ll notice something remarkable: the distribution of beads across the bins forms a bell curve. ...