h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is just a starter posting for this Entry. The idea is that one can and should discuss anything having to do with this Entry specifically at this Forum. You may also want to post on your own researcher number, but don't expect me to do any research on it, please.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it's the only way to get 42."

And I'm surprised you didn't look a little further. I found the following simple solutions within a few minutes:

(1+4+0) x 7 + (5-7+9) = 42

(14+0) x 7 - (5-70+9) = 42

Not wishing to be seen to be feeding anyone's delusions , I notice that you were born on a Tuesday - "Tuesday's child is full of grace".

Me? I was born on a Wednesday.

OOPS! It does look like there are some simple ways. Just tossed it around in my head for a minute or so and decided that my way was the one I liked regardless. I'll remove the sentence, so I don't look so foolish mainly.

I like this one (although it does start with a minus):

[(-1+4+0)*7] + (5+7+0+9)

= 21 + 21 = 42

I'm supposed to be asleep, but since I read this I will tell you that if I ever change my intro I'll be sure to credit you for these.

I'd be honoured.

Time for my siesta.

Just time for one more:

1+(4*0)-7+57-0-9 = 42

Can't think how I missed this one:

14+0+7+5+7+0+9 = 42!

Here's another:

1+4+0-7+(5*7)+0+9 = 42

Cripes! I can't believe that I didn't find anything, even if all I did was some work in my head for 30 seconds! Some day, I'll research this question to get the full list of possibilities. Thanks for your interest. When I find the time, I'll see if there is anything interesting about your U-number in my style of looking at it. I figure that there must be.

You've encouraged me to try something a little different.

The Guide defines 6x9 as 42, so:

[1+(4*0)+(75-70)]*9 = 6 x 9 = 42 (base 13)

I will mention it as well whenever I change my PS. It's correct, given that the left-hand equation is always true in any base that uses digits up to 9. Plus, it uses Mr. Adams's specific equation, as you note.

You might like to visit the Maths Lab: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A895205

Tried and got no response when I first came here.

Pity! Still, you know what an odd bunch maths nerds are, don't you?

A few more 42s:

[1+(4*0)+7]*5+(-7-0+9)=42

1+(4*0)-7+57-0-9=42

-1+40+7+5+(7*0)-9=42

(14*0)+(7*5)+7+(0*9)=42

Have a good one.

Did you go to this trouble for a purpose, by the way? I appreciate that I might fit in a little more with the standard approach on my PS, but are you trying to make some kind of point other than perhaps that? Oh, and what did you think of the rest of the Entry that brought you here?

Sorry for the delay - I've been having breakfast and doing a little housework, and forgot to sign off.

I will have another look at the Entry, but my opinion would be worthless to you as I am no mathematician.

I don't have an ulterior motive for fiddling with your Researcher number, other than the fact that I feel a similar kind of satisfaction on discovering a correct solution as I do when I find a good relevant anagram (I've been tinkering with words rather than numbers for many years - let me know if you'd like to see some examples of 'coincidences' within words).

Aha! As I suspected, you are a mathematics geek but don't know it! Anybody who enjoys it is in a different class even if their knowledge is not that of a professional mathematician.

So, you don't want to see my anagrams.

Sorry, I don't always read so carefully. Just now I was putting up a conversation on natural disasters of the future. I'd certainly look at what you have found.

Great! I'll put a list together a bit later.