“Brains x Attractiveness x Personality x Availability = A Constant."

[BreweryYardRat]

"This constant is always zero."

One of Murphy's Laws on relationships, and damned if it isn't true.

[LaraMN]

1. Supposing that "Availability" denotes the absence of a pre-existing relationship,

it follows that at some point the existing relationship was not established and "Availability" was a tangible factor. Assuming that brains, attractiveness, and personality were consistent traits, the result would not follow as a constant unless the former three attributes were dependent upon the latter being satisfied as initially noted, despite the absence of an established pair-bond. (in which case, you're fucked.)

:hi:

[BreweryYardRat]

3. No, it's that either...

...brains, attractiveness (which, admittedly, is a highly subjective concept), or personality are absent in someone who is available.

And availability isn't just necessarily lack of a pair-bond. Obligations can make availability = 0.

[LaraMN]

5. True about obligations,

but I think sometimes people who posses the elements on the left side of the equation intimidate the crap out of people, too.
I'd say that my best friend fits the bill, and she's never had a serious relationship in her life.

[EstimatedProphet]

6. Actually, the formula could work if availability were inversely correlated with the other factors

This would be (B/3+At/3+P/3)=Av, or (B+At+P)=3Av

Which would yield (B+At+P)-3Av=0.

[LaraMN]

7. Mathy-ness makes the baby Jesus cry.

x(

[billyskank]

2. Given that for nearly six years my availability was non-zero

that means that one of: my brains, my looks, and my personality must have been zero during that time.

The natural next question is: which one?

[BreweryYardRat]

4. I've been asking myself that one.

In my case, it's looks.

[redqueen]

9. Wondering the same thing here.

But more than that - not caring.

[cloudbase]

8. Guess I hit the jackpot with Mrs. Cloudbase.

Brains, beauty, great personality, and she was quite available back in '73 when we met. Added points for putting up with me for all those years.

Edit: What do you know? It's the 777th post, too. How's that for a jackpot?