TED Talks have always fascinated me, especially the ones about relationships, for they offer unique insights into the matters of the heart. Of the many talks that I have watched, one stands out from the rest for its sheer novelty—The Mathematics of Love by mathematician Hannah Fry. Her idea—of viewing love through the lens of mathematics—fascinated me. Naturally, I was thrilled when TED Books Box Set with The Mathematics of Love was released. I was eager to read the book, know more about Fry and her mathematical take on love.
Love is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about subjects of human existence. The pages of history and the verses of poetry are adorned with stories of love. Love is often the theme of movies, songs, and books. There’s a lot written about the subject, and there will always be more to write about it. But what differentiates Fry’s The Mathematics of Love from the rest is her approach to the subject. The author uses mathematics as a guide to talking about love.
In the introduction, she writes, “Human emotions, unlike mathematical equations, are not neatly ordered or well behaved, and the real thrill and essence of romance can’t easily be defined.” And indeed, one might wonder how something as objective as mathematics could offer a perspective on a subjective concept like love. But Fry manages to achieve just that.
As I continued reading, I realised how love, just like mathematics, is full of patterns. It was a revelation. Fry writes, “Thankfully, love—as with most of life—is full of patterns: from the number of sexual partners we have in our lifetime to how we choose who to message on an internet dating website. These patterns twist and turn and warp and evolve just as love does, and are all patterns which mathematics is uniquely placed to describe.”
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