Can someone tell me why this works?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjLca4JSf6ogPZm9ZnHNFtzsy6IX?qid=20070411134357AAhDMe8

How did he know what range of numbers it would be between?

Pick a set of numbers that conform to a balance of randomness. If there are 52 numbers you would not pick 1,2,3,4,5,6 because this is out of balance when there are a random of 52 numbers. The total of your 6 numbers should add up to around 165-175. Somethimes there is a skewed drawing of say all low or all high, but in the long run think a balance of randomness.

Answer 1

He took an approximate average of the numbers 1-52 added together, and multiplied it by 6. That comes out as 159. If the numbers drawn are truly random, then you'll get on average 3 numbers below this midpoint (26.5), and 3 above that. Try writing the numbers 1-52 on slips of paper, and draw 6 at random. Most times, they will probably total to something in the range he gave you.

Answer 2

He didn't "know" anything special. It's just math. Given every possible combination from a random draw, the odds are more likely that that the numbers will add up that way than be super high or super low because so many more different combinations can add up to stuff in the middle.

And there is no such thing as a "balance of randomness". If you force it to balance, it is not random. There are simply many more possible combinations that add up to that range that the answer gave.