Review #5: Mathematics of Love: Patterns, Proofs and Search for the Ultimate Equation

Author: Hannah Fry

Rating: ★★★½

Everyone in this world at some given point of time has said, "Why can't I find somebody to love?" or wished for a partner, a companion, a date, or even someone just for a night. And we all wonder what is that one thing that we're lacking, that one thing that'll bring us one step closer to meeting the "right one".

Hannah Fry attempts to add the logic of Math to the acts of online dating, sex, making sure you actually hit off with the person you want to (even if he/she seems out of your league) and she also gives you the mathematics behind how to live happily ever after! Who thought that Math could be put use to something as emotional and unpredictable as love right? But then again, I think Maths, Economics and Science are things that are put use to anything and everything that has not yet found an equation or doesn't seem to conform to any simple route.

I actually enjoyed this book, not only because I am a Mathematics student myself and found it interesting to see a lot of the concepts I have learnt like Game Theory and Payoff Matrices being applied to scenarios like being faithful and how to go on a date or hook up with someone you like in a party, but also because there was a certain element of humour to this book as well.

At the same time, yes I might be on the path of becoming a Mathematician, and I might be practical, and despite the fact that the book is not even that long and does not spew jargon at any given point of time, some of the chapters do seem to give out the idea on the same thing, dating, which becomes boring at some given point of time. Also, there is no guarantee that all these equations are going to make you land up with that perfect person or get you lucky in a night!

So please do not read this book as a guide to getting somebody to love! And definitely don't read this book if you have absolutely nothing to do with the field of Mathematics, Science and Economics. If you do read this book however, remember, love isn't something that ever works with a formula, and you just got to wait for the right person and the right time, no matter how long it takes! And if you don't find someone, just love yourself!

P.S.: I am so glad Mathematicians actually have a life that interesting to be proving theories in the fields of Love and Dating and what not, makes me interested to do something like this, later on in my life to. But no, it won't be on love, I can assure you of that. And I'm too lazy to write a book.

#mathematics #love #bookreview