This chart displays the statistical trends of consecutive draws, showing how the mean, standard deviation, and range of numbers drawn vary over time. This illustrate the variability and distribution patterns inherent in random lottery results.
Mean, Standard Deviation (STDEV), and Range Trend
The Mean line indicates the average drawn number per draw, the Standard Deviation (STDEV) line shows how widely spread the numbers in each draw are from their respective mean, and the Range line, calculated as the difference between the highest and lowest number in each draw, shows the gap between the highest and lowest numbers drawn.
Together, these statistics and their trends offer a clearer picture of the variability inherent in lotto draws, though they do not imply predictability, as true lottery systems are designed to be random. It helps to observe whether the statistical properties of the drawn numbers exhibit any pattern, volatility, or clustering over time.
Format Changes in US Mega Millions Lottery
Since its inception in 1996, Mega Millions has undergone several changes in its number pool format, particularly in the main number set and the Mega Ball. Initially launched as “The Big Game,” the format started with selecting 5 numbers from a pool of 50 and 1 Mega Ball from a pool of 25 and expanded its number matrix several times in 2005, 2013, and 2017. in April 2025, the format was revised again, maintaining the 5/70 for the main numbers but slightly reducing the Mega Ball pool from 1/25 to 1/24. These adjustments over time have been aimed at balancing jackpot size, odds of winning, and overall game excitement.
| Period | Format | Mega Ball |
|---|---|---|
| September 6, 1996 – Launch as “The Big Game” | 5 of 50 | 1 of 25 |
| May 17, 2002 – Rebranded “The Big Game Mega Millions” | 5 of 52 | 1 of 52 |
| October 2002 – 2005 | 5 of 56 | 1 of 46 |
| October 18–22, 2013 | 5 of 75 | 1 of 15 |
| October 28–31, 2017 | 5 of 70 | 1 of 25 |
| April 8, 2025 | 5 of 70 | 1 of 24 |
How US Mega Millions Lotto Format Changes Affect Your Number Strategy.
These format changes have a direct impact on statistical analysis. Mixing frequency data across different formats is not advisable because each version of the game has a different number pool and probability structure.
For example, a number that appeared frequently in the 5/50 format may have done so due to higher individual draw probability, but that same frequency can be misleading in the 5/75 or 5/70 formats.
Therefore, for meaningful analysis, it’s essential to treat each format as its own distinct dataset. Analyzing trends or frequencies should be restricted to results from within the same format period, especially if the goal is to inform number selection in the current game structure.