Men: Are You Old Enough to Propose Yet?

What is the optimum age a man should be before seriously proposing marriage?

It's not a question that we were looking to answer, yet it is one that the Daily Mail reports that Australian mathematicians have been working hard to solve. Their work has produced a mathematical formula that reveals a man's optimal age for proposing marriage:

"Applying maths to matters of the heart is always a dangerous prospect," said Professor Tony Dooley from the University of New South Wales School of Mathematics and Statistics.

"But if you want to work out the right moment to start getting serious, then this actually gives you a mathematical framework to think about it.

"The result is your Optimal Proposal Age.

"Ideally you should not propose to anyone before you hit this age, but afterwards you should prepare to pop the question to the very next girl you date – as long as she's the best of the bunch so far!"

Alright then. If you're a man and you're ready to reckon whether you're ready to pop the question, we've got the ready reckoner for you.

Just enter the indicated data in the tool below - we'll do the math that will determine if you've reached the minimum age you need to be to go on the marriage ride....

Critical Ages for Getting Married
Input Data	Values
The Oldest Age by Which You Want to Be Married
The Earliest Age by Which Your Dating Pool Would Include Potential Spouses

Are You Old Enough to Propose?
Calculated Results	Values
Your Optimal Age for Proposing Marriage

Yes, it's that simple. If you're over the age indicated above, you should be ready to pop the question. What could possibly go wrong?

The Daily Mail continues:

The formula is based on a similar equation used in the finance and medical sectors to pinpoint when to take action to maximise rewards and minimise costs.

And if you think a mathematical equation takes all the romance out of Valentine's Day, you may be right.

The researchers claim a 37 per cent success rate, which doesn’t sound very impressive.

But they say traditional ways of picking a bride don't guarantee a successful marriage, either.

"Although probability isn't the most romantic basis for a marriage, the formula does seem to fit a lot of couples, whether through accident or design," Prof. Dooley said.

"One could argue that the current, less structured approach to picking a marriage partner hasn't been 100 per cent successful, so perhaps it's time for men to consider following a stricter set of rules when it comes to marriage planning."

Happy Valentine's Day!

Previously on Political Calculations

• What Are the Chances Your Marriage Will Last?


• Picking the Right Date for Valentine's Day


• Should You Become Intimate with a Coworker?


• Should You Start or Stop Procrastinating?


• Should You Apologize?


• Should You Lie?


• Is Your Personal Grooming Adequate?


• How Many Hours of Sports Can You Watch (Without Her Getting Angry?)


• Are You Whipped?