CONTENTS. xxxix 



CHAPTER XV. 



ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE PHENOMENA. 

 SECTION PAr ' E 



1. Analysis of Quantitative Phenomena 335 



2. Illustrations of the Complication of Effects 336 



3. Methods of Eliminating Error 339 



4. Method of Avoidance of Error 340 



5. Differential Method 344 



6. Method of Correction 346 



7. Method of Compensation 350 



8. Method of Reversal 354 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE METHOD OF MKANS. 



1. The Method of Means 357 



'2. Several Uses of the Mean Result .358 



3. The Mean and the Average 360 



4. On the Average or Fictitious Mean 368 



5. The Precise Mean Result 365 



6. Determination of the Zero Point 368 



7. Determination of Maximum Points . . 371 



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 3. 3 



11. Works upon the Theory of Probability 394 



12. Detection of Constant Errors . .396 



