Name: The mathematics of love
Uploaded: 2015-02-13T15:56:26Z
Duration: 16 min 52 s
Description: Finding the right mate is no cakewalk -- but is it even mathematically likely? In a charming talk, mathematician Hannah Fry shows patterns in how we look for love, and gives her top three tips (verified by math!) for finding that special someone.

Hannah Fry: The mathematics of love

The mathematics of love

Finding the right mate is no cakewalk -- but is it even mathematically likely? In a charming talk, mathematician Hannah Fry shows patterns in how we look for love, and gives her top three tips (verified by math!) for finding that special someone.

Mathematical insights reveal surprising patterns behind romance, from online dating to lifelong relationships. Research shows that being polarizing in attractiveness can make someone more popular online, while the timing of settling down is guided by the 37 percent rule from optimal stopping theory. Even arguing couples follow equations similar to those governing arms races, with the most successful pairs addressing small issues before they escalate. Mathematics uncovers structure in the seemingly unpredictable world of human connection.