Maslov explained this term using an example from the famous Russian novel ‘The Master and Margarita’ when Satan was scattering money onto the crowd. Using a formula one can calculate how many people must be there so that everyone got a banknote.

The mathematician counted the critical sum of debt for America in the same way.

After that he understood that the figure was already much bigger, he took measures. Maslov sold his flat and holiday house in advance, and sent money to his children who live abroad together with advice on how to handle the current crisis.

Maslov said Barack Obama shouldn’t save Wall Street, but instead must help the ‘upcountry banks’ which serve the people.

Viktor Maslov (image from msu.ru)

The Russian mathematician advised the American president to introduce the bank sphere regulation by the state. He said the calculation of ‘critical figures’ for different kinds of debt could also be very useful.

As for Russia, Maslov says he can’t calculate similar data concerning the Russian economy as its ‘shadow sector’ is too large and that won’t let him get the objective picture.