The festive formula for a perfectly trimmed Christmas tree

Maths students from the University of Sheffield have created a festive formula to ensure just the right ratio of lights, tinsel and baubles are used to give your Christmas tree the perfect look.

Using their ‘treegonometry’ calculations they say a 152 cm (5ft) Christmas tree would need 31 baubles, around 776 cms of tinsel and 478 cms of lights with a 15cm star or angel to top it off.

So whether it’s a Norwegian Spruce or an artificial tree, use the formula to make sure you have the right number of decorations and your home is a winter wonderland this Christmas.

The formula is as follows:

Number of baubles = √17÷20 x (tree height in cms)

The length of tinsel (cms) = 13 x π ÷ 8 x (tree height in cms)

The length of lights (cms) = π x (tree height in cms)

The height of the star/fairy (cms) = height of tree (in cms) ÷ 10

George Amos, president of Sheffield University Maths Society (SUMS), who came up with the formula, said: “Being interested in maths can be a struggle for a lot of people, but this is a brilliant way of showing an applicable side of maths.

“This equation - which was created by two former students and SUMS members a few years ago - is a nice and easy equation to get people involved in maths, as well as a bit of good, festive fun.”

Test your tree with the University’s online calculator here.F