How to Discover the Bell Curve
course notes
Mathcamp
probability
A week-long class deriving the normal distribution from least squares, following Gauss’ calculation of the orbit of Ceres.
My attempt at teaching a week-long class at Mathcamp 2026 on the least squares method and its connection to the normal distribution, inspired by Gauss’ calculation of the orbit of Ceres.
The prerequisites are basic calculus with a little linear algebra and probability theory.