Calculation Page

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The Drake Equation is:

N = N* fp ne fl fi fc fL

N* represents the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

fp is the fraction of stars that have planets around them.

ne is the number of planets per star that are capable of sustaining life.

fl is the fraction of planets in ne where life evolves.

fi is the fraction of fl where intelligent life evolves.

fc is the fraction of fi that communicate.

fL is fraction of the planet's life during which the communicating civilizations live.

Start replacing letters with numbers at N*.  Multiply each number by the one before it to get your answer.  Getting the correct answer depends upon multiplying each step correctly.

Work Space:

When all of these variables are multiplied together we come up with:

N = the number of communicating civilizations in the galaxy!