David Stewart and David Cushing with their theory. Maybe the horse illustration indicates an application for beating the races?

  Photo: New Scientist

Two British mathematicians from the University of Manchester have identified a surefire way to win the lottery, but it’s not as straightforward as it sounds.

David Stewart and David Cushing, the brains behind this revelation, say that purchasing 27 specific lottery tickets can guarantee a win in the UK’s National Lottery.

Speaking to New Scientist, Mr Cushing said: ‘We’ve been thinking about this problem for a few months. I can’t really explain the thought process behind it.’

However, they caution that this method might not always lead to a financial profit.

Their study, published in July, details a method using finite geometry, a complex branch of mathematics.

The theory of finite geometry explained

  Photo: Stewart/Cushing

This approach involves plotting the lottery’s numbers in various geometric patterns to identify 27 unique ticket combinations.

These combinations, they explain, cover all possible outcomes to ensure at least a minimal win in any given draw of the Lotto.

This is the main game of the UK’s National Lottery, where players select six numbers from a pool of 1 to 59.

A UK National Lottery ticket

  Photo: UK National Lottery

The cost is around $69, with each ticket priced at approximately $2.50.

While the potential reward is attractive, especially with the lottery’s jackpot recently reaching a record $28.9 million, the odds remain a little out of reach.

That’s because the likelihood of winning the jackpot is about 1 in 45 million.

Stewart and Cushing say it may guarantee at least a small win – possibly a free ticket for matching two numbers or around $38 for matching three.

However, the real-world application of this mathematical strategy is not an easy task.

Peter Rowlett, mathematician from Sheffield Hallam University

  Photo: LinkedIn

Peter Rowlett, another mathematician from Sheffield Hallam University, notes that in 99% of cases, this method won’t yield enough winnings to pay back your tickets.

Also, if more people adopt these specific number sets, the share of any potential jackpot drops by a large percentage.

In a practical test of their theory, a member of Stewart and Cushing’s research team did have some luck. They won $2,243 with the 27 numbers.

Yet, when the mathematicians tried their hand at the lottery using their method, their winnings were far less – only three free tickets, none of which led to further prizes.

Their findings, while mathematically sound, highlight the unpredictable nature of the lottery. The mathematicians themselves are skeptical about the practical benefits of their discovery.

Cushing humorously noted that their involvement seemed to bring bad luck.

So while the discovery by Stewart and Cushing represents a fascinating application of mathematical principles, it also serves as a reminder that the lottery remains a game of chance.