Monkeys Can't Type Shakespeare Before Universe Ends, Australian Study Finds

Nov 1, 2024, 10:12 AM

A new study titled 'A numerical evaluation of the Finite Monkeys Theorem' by two Australian mathematicians has determined that even with an infinite amount of time, monkeys randomly typing would almost certainly never reproduce the complete works of William Shakespeare within the lifespan of the universe. The researchers found that the probability of such an event occurring is so minuscule that it effectively debunks the adage known as the 'Infinite Monkey Theorem.' They calculated that even if all the chimpanzees in the world were given the entire lifespan of the universe, they would not be able to produce Shakespeare's works through random keystrokes. Moreover, there is only a 5% chance that a chimpanzee could randomly type the word 'bananas' in its own lifetime. The findings highlight the vastness of the mathematical improbability associated with the theorem.