A Monkey’s Shakespeare

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The Infinite Monkey Theorem posits that a monkey pressing keys on a typewriter for an infinite amount of time would eventually write all of William Shakespeare’s works – which are more than 880,000 words.

The theory is used to illustrate the concept of random chance and infinite possibilities and has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV series, the Simpsons.

But in practice, it is impossible, according to mathematicians Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia.

“The Infinite Monkey Theorem only considers the infinite limit, with either an infinite number of monkeys or an infinite time period of monkey labor,” Woodcock explained in a statement.

In their paper, the researchers sought to re-examine the theory under the constraints of our finite universe.

They estimated the probability of a single monkey or even the entire global population of chimpanzees reproducing the English writer’s works within the estimated lifespan of the universe.

The study used the “heat death” theory for the end of the universe, which theorizes that our universe will end in a googol of years – that’s 10 to the power of 100, or one with 100 zeroes behind it.

The findings showed that even in this universe’s lifetime, it would be impossible for the primates to produce Shakespeare’s poems and plays. It also remains unlikely even in favorable assumptions, such as a typing speed of one key per second and a reduced 30-character keyboard with letters and basic punctuation.

What appeared possible was a five percent chance that a chimp could type the word “bananas” in its own lifetime.

Woodcock and Falletta acknowledged that the Infinite Monkey Theorem is theoretically true, but view the study as a reminder of the disconnect between infinite theoretical scenarios and the practical limits of the real world.

Other mathematicians not involved in the study agreed with the results – although they questioned the need to test the theory.

“It certainly didn’t need debunking. It’s something everyone has known forever,” Martin Hairer, professor of mathematics at Imperial College London, told NBC News. “The universe could die and be reborn millions and millions of times and it still wouldn’t happen.”