UK Mathematicians Claim A Guaranteed Lottery Win Using Just 27 Purchased Tickets

 British mathematicians claim to have devised a strategy for securing a win in the UK national lottery using a minimal investment of 27 purchased tickets out of the over 45 million possible combinations. Although their method gained global attention and numerous individuals experimented with the recommended 27 tickets, the mathematicians, David Stewart and David Cushing from the University of Manchester, emphasize that they cannot guarantee a jackpot win. However, their July paper outlines the minimum number of tickets needed to guarantee some form of prize, even if it's just a complimentary play.

The UK National Lottery involves players selecting six numbers between 1 and 59, with six balls randomly drawn during the lottery. A prize is awarded to players matching at least two of the drawn numbers. The mathematicians stated, "We identify 27 tickets that guarantee a prize, regardless of which of the 45,057,474 possible draws occurs. Moreover, we determine that 27 is the optimal number of tickets required, as achieving the same guarantee with 26 tickets is not possible."

The researchers utilized finite geometry, a mathematical approach, to identify these combinations. This method involves arranging the numbers from 1 to 59 in pairs or triplets on various geometric shapes. Subsequently, each set of numbers is connected with lines, creating a sequence of six numbers representing one lottery ticket. According to their findings, 27 such tickets cover all 59 numbers, ensuring that at least one pair will match in any draw. While the mathematicians' strategy may not promise a jackpot, it presents a calculated approach to increase the likelihood of securing some form of prize in the UK national lottery.