More than 100 contributors – from the fields of art, science, mathematics, performance, music, architecture, design, literature and sociology – have devised or chosen their own personal formula to express their understanding of contemporary life. At times quirky and idiosyncratic, witty and playful, some of the formulas register an indisputable fact or propose a speculative idea; others provide a method of bringing order to a complex universe – or point to the impossibility of doing so; still others suggest propositions or solutions for a better future.Whether taking the form of a scribbled equation or typeset text, or a drawing, diagram, photograph or painting, each contribution is treated imaginatively in a fun and colourful design in keeping with the spirit of the project.