Abstract
J. H. LAMBERT should be given precedence over Gauss as the originator of the theory of errors. Galle1 stated that Gauss arrived at the idea of the principle of least squares while reading Lambert, but he did not mention the essence of Lambert's work on the subject. Furthermore, no mention has been made of this in the various works on Lambert2–4.
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References
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SHEYNIN, O. Origin of the Theory of Errors. Nature 211, 1003–1004 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2111003b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2111003b0
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