Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 beta 3/9/83; site fluke.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!prodeng
From: prodeng@fluke.UUCP (Jim Hirning)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Hitchhikers Guide
Message-ID: <675@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Aug-83 11:35:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax2.675
Posted: Wed Aug 24 11:35:43 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Aug-83 20:23:54 EDT
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, Wash
Lines: 15

In the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy, there was the scenario of the
"answer to the great question of Life, the Universe, and Everything."

The answer, given in the first book, was "42".  The question, given
in the third book, was "What is 6 times 9".  How about this:  6 X 9 = 54
IN BASE 10. But, if 54 is considered in base 13, it is (4 times 13) +
(2 times 1) = 52 + 2 = 54.  Thus, 54 (base 10) = 42 (base 13).  The 6
and 9 are still 6 and 9 in base 13.  Thus, 6 times 9 = 42.

Has anyone else seen this?  Is the joke that the universe is intrinsically
based on the traditionally "unlucky" number 13?



Grapelet