Perfect marriage age algorithm may help singles choose the best mate

March 13, 2017  10:41

A perfect marriage age algorithm may help men and women who are looking for the right person to spend the rest of their lives with.

Journalist Brian Christian and cognitive scientist Tom Griffiths, who co-authored “Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions,” think following the 37 percent rule could help men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 find the best mate, according to Business Insider.

The rule, which also applies to decisions like job hiring and apartment searches, says by the time you’ve looked at 37 percent of your options, you’ll have all the information that you need to make the best decision for yourself, and the good thing about it is you wouldn’t have spent too much time on the decision.

This means that if you’re currently looking for the best romantic partner for yourself, you should know who you’d like to marry by the time you’ve reached the 37 percent mark over that 22-year period, or just after you've reached your 26th birthday, Mom.me noted.

With that being the case, it might not be a good idea to get married sooner than 26 because you could miss out on a better partner you might meet later, according to The Sun. However, if you wait too long, then your perfect mate could be unavailable.

A 2015 study by University of Utah sociologist Nicholas H. Wolfinger found that the best age to get married for those who want to avoid divorce is between 28 and 32, Business Insider noted, adding that while this doesn't perfectly align with the 37 percent rule, couples usually decide on their partner before the wedding date. Wolfinger's study found that a couple's who marry later have a 5 percent greater likelihood for divorce for each year after 32.

The 37 percent rule isn't perfect. It doesn't account for changes in priorities and what one might look for in a partner as time goes by. But it hints at when couples may better be able to trust their decisions.

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