Putting in random data to measure the impact of uncertainty on the outcome of a project.

ECONOMIST: Idea

The logical response is that absent the existence of City Hall officials making sure restaurants measure up to random requirements, the kitchens would be filthy, common areas unsafe or not accessible to the handicapped, and the food improperly refrigerated.

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In other words that if the occurrence of something is abnormally high or abnormally low simply because of random variation, the statistical chances are that it will be much closer to the average the next time you measure it.

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