One of their arguments is based on a statistical estimate that puts a centenarian's chance of reaching Jeanne Calment's astonishing age at one in ten million.
In September, an international team of scientists countered each of the Russian critics' arguments in turn. Alongside the historical and epidemiological evidence, Jean-Marie Robine's team took a nuanced look at the mathematics of the question, emphasizing the necessary distinction between an extremely low probability and a statistical impossibility. In particular, they pointed out that humanity has seen eight to ten million centenarians since the 1700s, which puts the probability cited into perspective. The authors even suggested that it would not be unlikely for another person to reach that age by the end of the century.
Other tests had been conducted during Jeanne Calment's lifetime. In particular, she had been asked about details of her life that, in all likelihood, only she could remember (and not her daughter), such as the names of her mathematics teachers!
