But a syndicate of Bradford University professors and tutors in Britain thought it could also be related to the principles of mathematical probability.

And their theory was spectacularly vindicated in October 2006 when they matched all six numbers and scooped the $13 million lotto jackpot.

The syndicate, made up of 17 staff members at Bradford University and College, bagged the big prize by using two boxes, 49 pieces of paper and a large amount of brainpower.