We appreciate MSN introducing empirical analysis into their dating columns, and are glad to have found this post. Mathematics Degree aside, the bottom of the article contains formulas for both heterosexual and homosexual couples to guess at how long the survey data would predict their relationships to last. Still with us? In case you’re scratching your head, all 'importance' measures can be scaled from 1 to 5 where 1 is not important at all and 5 is very important. Warning: you might need a calculator and/or a mathematics degree for this part! Burge playfully challenges the reader of the article to do the math for his or herself: The combined value both partners place on looksĬonverting the Love Formula to a Love Calculator.Having the male (or one partner for a homosexual relationship) value sex much more than the female (or the other partner).Having many partners before starting the relationship (the sweet spot for a couple is around max 5 partners each).Negative Factors for Relationship Lengthįor the record, the three negative weights on relationship length are: the in-law point certainly wouldn't have scored many points in a love-formula episode of Family Feud.

How much they both care about in-laws(!)įor heterosexual couples, add to that list (both are positive):.

How much they care about physical attraction.

The number of previous partners for both.

With a sample size of 2,000 people, it turns out that the most important factors in compatibility are: Most Important Love Compatibility Factors

marrying.Ĭall it 'Big Love', 'Horoscopes meet Moneyball' or whatever you like – MSN has some interesting data on what matters most when it comes to relationship length. Burge presents the theoretical underpinnings of love compatibility, and breaks down human monogamous tendencies to science (or at least a survey), by marrying big data and. This calculator is based on a fun article which appeared on MSN, written by Rachel Burge: ' New 'love formula' reveals lover number five could be The One'. Let math predict how long your relationship will last! The Relationship Length Calculator In this article, we convert some research on relationship compatibility into an easy to use relationship length and love calculator.

Relationship countdowns