A NEW formula created by Australian statisticians predicts the time for love and marriage.

Released just in time for Valentine's Day, the quirky equation works on how old you are when you start looking for a life partner, and the absolute oldest you want to be to tie the knot, news.com.au reports.

"Applying maths to matters of the heart is always a dangerous prospect. In human life when you're dealing with emotions you have to think much harder," University of NSW School of Mathematics and Statistics professor Tony Dooley said.

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

It seems far-fetched to imagine an algebraic equation for love, but the university's statisticians claim a success rate of almost 40 per cent.

Similar equations used in the finance and medical sectors pinpoint when to take action to maximise rewards and minimise costs.

The formula suggests Melbourne couple Jen Petersen and Anthony Tilly, both 25, are just a year away from getting married. "It could be true," Ms Petersen laughed.

"We'd be happy getting married at 26. It's a good age. You wouldn't reject anyone's proposal based on a theory some guy came up with sitting in a science lab or a classroom, but it does make sense."

Added Mr Tilly: "It makes sense with us, but seems stupid . . . we're human, everyone's different. What kind of a scientist came up with this?"

Scientists also found an individual's body odour could woo an ideal lover. They believe each person's unique scent helps attract a partner who'll produce genetically stronger children.

Prof Rob Brooks, director of evolution and ecology at the University of NSW, studied subjects who sniffed the armpits of T-shirts worn by the opposite sex for several days.

Results showed people were usually attracted to the smell of someone with significantly different genes to their own.

ROMANCE BY NUMBERS

  • 1. Choose the oldest age by which you want to get married, for example, 39. Call this 'n'.
  • 2. Decide the earliest age at which you'll start to consider a potential spouse, for example, 20. This age becomes 'p'.
  • 3. Subtract 'p' from 'n' (39 - 20), then multiply the result by 0.368. This equals 6.992.
  • 4. Add this to your minimum age.
  • Result: 27 is your optimal proposal age.