?rule of three?

[Richard Jensen]

"Rules of three" are common.  A simple bar bet is to show someone the
intergers 1, 2, 3, 4 and bet that you can predict the one they will choose
- about 75% of the time, people choose 3 (3 blind mice, holy trinity, 3
wise men, 3 on a match, 3 medals in sporting events, etc.).  There is
also, apparently, a predeliction for odd numbers.

Is it an innate preference for this "bundling" or simply an accident of
history?

Richard J. Jensen      |   E-MAIL: rjensen at saintmarys.edu
Dept. of Biology       |   TELEPHONE: 219-284-4674
Saint Mary's College   |   FAX: 219-284-4716
Notre Dame, IN  46556  |