Formulas to live by!
Marriage:
Wife's equation: w(t+1)=a+r1*w(t) + ihw
Where w=wife; h=husband; t=time; a=wife's state of mind when not with her husband; r1*w(t)=how easy it is to change her state of mind when talking with husband; ihw=influence of husband's remarks on wife; h(t)=husband's "score" during 15-minute conversation; w(t+1)=how wife has reacted to husband's conversation - the higher the figure, the greater the likelihood of divorce.
Husband's equation: H(t+1)=b+r2*h(t)+iwh
b=husband's state of mind when not with wife; r2*w(t)=how easy it is for him to change state of mind when talking to wife; iwh=influence of wife's remarks; w(t)=wife's score during 15-minute conversation; H(t+1)=how husband has reacted to wife's conversation - the higher the number the greater the likelihood of divorce.
(From The Mathematics of Marriage: Dynamic Nonlinear Models, 2003)
Happiness:
H = P + (5XE) + (3XH)
Where P stands for "personal characteristics" such as outlook on life, resilience and adaptability; E "existence" - relating to health, financial stability and friendships; and H "higher order" traits such as sense of humour, expectations, ambitions and self-esteem. (Derived by British "life coach" Pete Cohen, 2003)
Success:
"If A is success in life, then A equals X+Y+Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut." (Albert Einstein 1879-1955)