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Math Forum » Discussions » Inactive » Historia-Matematica

Topic: [HM] question about term "normal"
Replies: 13   Last Post: Dec 7, 2006 4:19 PM

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Fernando Q. Gouvea

Posts: 121
Registered: 12/3/04
Re: [HM] question about term "normal"
Posted: Oct 28, 2006 7:51 AM
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My guess is that the term "normal number" is just intended to reflect
the idea that most numbers are bound to be "normal" in this sense. So
it just means "typical" or "usual", rather than attempting to allude
to the normal distribution.

Of course, as usual in things of this type, while it is normal for a
number to be "normal", it is very abnormal for us to be able to prove
that any specific number is...

Fernando

=============================================================
Fernando Q. Gouvea
Carter Professor of Mathematics
Colby College Editor, FOCUS and FOCUS Online
5836 Mayflower Hill Editor, MAA Reviews
Waterville, ME 04901
http://www.colby.edu/~fqgouvea

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