4 sources·Science

Mathematicians Disprove Infinite Monkey Theorem: Shakespeare Remains Safe

A new study claims infinite time and monkeys cannot produce Shakespeare's works, debunking the Infinite Monkey Theorem as misleading.

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Updated: Nov 1st, 2024, 12:26 PM ET

Summary

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Mathematicians from Australia have challenged the Infinite Monkey Theorem, stating that the universe would end before monkeys could type any significant literature, including Shakespeare's works. Their findings indicate that even with a high number of monkeys and generous typing speeds, the odds of producing even a short phrase are astronomically low. The study emphasizes the misleading nature of randomness implied by the original theorem, concluding that the chances of creating Shakespeare's 884,421 words are effectively zero given the constraints of time and existence.


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