“Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World” by Matt Parker (2021) is unfortunately not as interesting as the title suggests. However, the author does point to a fascinating statistical study performed as part of an effort to design a standard military uniform intended to fit the “middle 30%” of recruits.
4,063 men had a series of 10 body measurements taken.
1,055 of those 4,063 men were of average height (i.e. were in the middle 30% of height ranges)
302 of those 1,055 also had average chest size
143 of those 302 also had average sleeve length
73 of those 143 also had average leg length
28 of those 73 also had average torso circumference
12 of those 28 also had average hip measurement
6 of those 12 also had average neck circumference
3 of those 6 also had average waist circumference
2 of those 3 also had average thigh circumference
0 of those 2 also had average crotch length
Not a single one of 4,063 men fell into the Middle 30% category on all 10 measurements. Snowflakes! No-one was truly average. Everyone was unique. And yet our governments use statistics every day to beat us all into their designated categories.