I’m fascinated by probability so Paul J. Nahin’s Will You Be Alive 10 Years From Now? And Numerous Other Curious Questions in Probability was a must-buy. Nahin taught probability courses to engineering students for 30 years at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Virginia. In addition to calculating life expectancy, Nahin explores gambling with a number of dice problems. I was also captivated by Nahin’s use of examples from mathematical history. He provides stories about Pascal and Francis Bacon and other probability luminaries. For the more math-savvy readers, Nahin provides MATLAB computer programs to solve the more complex problems. But, if you’re rather not wade through a lot of math, you can see if you’ll be alive 10 years from now by using the Life Expectancy Calculator here. According to the Calculator, I’m going to see 84!
Mine said I died last week—and I thought I was just really tired!
85.8 years here I come!
Dan, you can get a job on THE WALKING DEAD!
Deb, congratulations! Live long and prosper!
Mine says 85+ years. I don’t know if this is good news or bad news. At the rate I’m collecting books and pulps, my money won’t last that long!
Walker, I guessing 85+ is a Good Thing!
84.3. But since my father is nearing 90 and his sister is about to turn 93 I’m hoping for more than that.
Jeff, Diane’s Mom is 94 and my Mom is 86. I might get some Overtime, too!
Well, the calculator doesn’t take into consideration important factors: medical health, weight, bad habits like drinking and smoking, exercise, diet, living alone vs. with a partner, mental health and family history. Thus it really isn’t much of an indicator. I’m 68, but with my health and weight, ten years is optimistic. I guess I’ll see you all on the other side. Unless there’s reincarnation and I come back as a snail (bad) or cat (pretty good) or something.
Rick, the Life Expectancy Calculator gives you the average age someone in your cohort can expect to live to. You’re right about health factors and just Plain Bad Luck affecting the number. But I’ll bet you’ll be around in 10 years…and more!
Bad news. Scratch that living 14 more years to age 85. I just checked out deathclock.com and they say March 10, 2016 and even give the countdown in seconds. I guess my book collecting money will last afterall.
Martin, have you decided who you’re going to leave all those great books to? (hint, hint)
85.6 if I make it to 70. I wonder where I can buy six-tenths of a calendar.
Bob, AMAZON has everything, even a year and a half calendar.