6*9=42

alphageek31337 · 08-13-2004, 01:25 AM

I know I haven't been around the old boards in a long, long time, and I doubt any of you would ever remember me (I wasn't all that interesting), but as I was flipping through my copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy I came across something that, if my math is correct, could be very interesting. Those of you who have read the book (Slartibartfast, I'm calling you out), remember that the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything is 42, and this makes little sense until the discover the question, "What is 6 * 9?", at which point it makes no sense whatsoever. However, if you change the number base, you can actually make that a true equation. The values of 6 and 9 remain unchanged when converted from base 10 to base 13, however the value 42 in base 13 is, voila, 54 in base 10. So the question is, did Doug Adams intend this to be true, or was it supposed to be something ridiculous and, by pure chance, ended up a true equation?

Opinions appreciated

Steve

alphageek31337 · 08-13-2004, 01:26 AM

Also, for the record, the reason I came here first to ask this was because this is where I first read about Towel Day, and that little joke got me interested in reading the Hitchhiker series

Undertoad · 08-13-2004, 08:57 AM

I remember you man, welcome any time, for any reason.

Back in the day I remember an interview with Douglas Adams, in which he said that people had come up to him with that revelation and it was a surprise to him and not what he actually intended. But a nice surprise.

Trilby · 08-13-2004, 09:24 AM

That book changed my life. I'm a lot more relaxed now. Is there gonna be a movie?

perth · 08-13-2004, 10:18 AM

Ayup.

alphageek31337 · 08-13-2004, 08:35 PM

I had heard rumours about a movie, but I thought that the project had been dropped when Adams died. This is such incredible greatness.

perth · 08-13-2004, 10:38 PM

One can hope.

Of course, when Malkovich is involved, you cna for the most part expect it to be good. If I remember right, the character Malkovich is playing was specifically written by Adams with him in mind. Read an interview a while back with the guy who took over script treatment after Adams' death, and it was a pretty good read. I'll try to scare it up here...

perth · 08-13-2004, 10:41 PM

Here we go. He seems to have an appreciation for the source material. For the most part, he's just filling out and cleaning up the script Adams wrote himself.

Happy Monkey · 08-14-2004, 07:37 PM

Douglas Adams said that nobody writes jokes in base 13.

headsplice · 08-25-2004, 11:35 AM

[Bubble bursting]Isn't the question, 'What is six times seven?'

Happy Monkey · 08-25-2004, 01:12 PM

No, it is not. At least, not in the radio show and the TV miniseries. I haven't read the book recently, so that may be one of the differences - but I don't think so.

alphageek31337 · 08-25-2004, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headsplice

[Bubble bursting]Isn't the question, 'What is six times seven?'

When they're trying to determine the question (having the answer, and being five minutes from the question when the earth, which was really a giant, organic computer commissioned by mice, is blown to bits to make way for an interstellar by-pass), they consider "What is six times seven?", then decide it's too straightforward. I believe that "How many roads must a man walk down?" was also tried.

God(s), it's hard to explain Adams.

08-13-2004, 01:25 AM	#1
alphageek31337 Enemy Combatant/Evildoer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 263	*69=42** I know I haven't been around the old boards in a long, long time, and I doubt any of you would ever remember me (I wasn't all that interesting), but as I was flipping through my copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy I came across something that, if my math is correct, could be very interesting. Those of you who have read the book (Slartibartfast, I'm calling you out), remember that the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything is 42, and this makes little sense until the discover the question, "What is 6 * 9?", at which point it makes no sense whatsoever. However, if you change the number base, you can actually make that a true equation. The values of 6 and 9 remain unchanged when converted from base 10 to base 13, however the value 42 in base 13 is, voila, 54 in base 10. So the question is, did Doug Adams intend this to be true, or was it supposed to be something ridiculous and, by pure chance, ended up a true equation? Opinions appreciated Steve __________________ The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ---Friedrich Nietzsche

08-13-2004, 01:26 AM	#2
alphageek31337 Enemy Combatant/Evildoer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 263	Also, for the record, the reason I came here first to ask this was because this is where I first read about Towel Day, and that little joke got me interested in reading the Hitchhiker series __________________ The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ---Friedrich Nietzsche

08-13-2004, 08:35 PM	#6
alphageek31337 Enemy Combatant/Evildoer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 263	movie! I had heard rumours about a movie, but I thought that the project had been dropped when Adams died. This is such incredible greatness. __________________ The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ---Friedrich Nietzsche

08-14-2004, 07:37 PM	#9
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Douglas Adams said that nobody writes jokes in base 13. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

08-25-2004, 11:35 AM	#10
headsplice Relaxed Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 676	[Bubble bursting]Isn't the question, 'What is six times seven?' __________________ Don't Panic

08-13-2004, 08:57 AM	#3
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I remember you man, welcome any time, for any reason. Back in the day I remember an interview with Douglas Adams, in which he said that people had come up to him with that revelation and it was a surprise to him and not what he actually intended. But a nice surprise.

08-13-2004, 09:24 AM	#4
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	That book changed my life. I'm a lot more relaxed now. Is there gonna be a movie?

08-13-2004, 10:18 AM	#5
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	Ayup.

08-13-2004, 10:38 PM	#7
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	One can hope. Of course, when Malkovich is involved, you cna for the most part expect it to be good. If I remember right, the character Malkovich is playing was specifically written by Adams with him in mind. Read an interview a while back with the guy who took over script treatment after Adams' death, and it was a pretty good read. I'll try to scare it up here...

08-13-2004, 10:41 PM	#8
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	Here we go. He seems to have an appreciation for the source material. For the most part, he's just filling out and cleaning up the script Adams wrote himself.

08-25-2004, 01:12 PM	#11
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	No, it is not. At least, not in the radio show and the TV miniseries. I haven't read the book recently, so that may be one of the differences - but I don't think so. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

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