目的系统地探讨和分析正态概率曲线的发现过程及棣莫弗(Abraham De Moivre,1667—1754)概率思想的创新点。方法历史分析和文献考证。结果棣莫弗在前人的基础上,经过10余年的努力最终导出了正态概率曲线的数学表达式。结论正态分布是概率论中最重要的分布,其发现揭示了棣莫弗概率思想的发展过程及其对概率论发展所做的奠基性工作。
Aim To discuss and analyze the formation of normal probability curve and the features of De Moivre's probability thought. Methods Historic analysis and literature review. Results With more than ten years' endeavors, De Moivre deduced the mathematical formula of normal probability curve on the base of formers' work. Conclusion Normal distribution is the most important distribution in the probability theory, the discovery of normal probability curve has revealed the evolution of De Moivre's probability thought. Furthermore, his fundamental work gave the probability theory a key development.