A Conversation for The Myth Of 42 [(5-3+0+5) * (6+0) = 42]
Please add mine/musings on other possibilities
rooftiler - back again, for another bit at least Started conversation May 29, 2003
After an initial half-hearted attempt, I thought mine was really difficult but then I came up with 2 in 2 days...
22 + 8 + 5 + 8 - 0!
and
2! / 2 + 8 * 5 + 8 ^ 0
From an aesthetic point of view I kind of prefer the first one, because I was trying to get one that used 0!, but I've decided to use the 2nd one in the meantime
How about
(invtan (2 / 2) - 8 + 5) * 8 ^ 0)
Am I allowed:
2) (-2 + 85 + 8 ^ 0) i.e. the bracketed expression divided by 2 (2 'into' x)?
Of course, all these are assuming that 42 is an expression in decimal, base-10 but if we explore our scientific calculators beyond trig functions we could have great fun trying to find a 42-ism expressed in hex (base-16) or for those luckier than me who don't have 8s (& 9s), octal aka base-8. There must be a few lucky researchers who could even try binary...
Looking further, 42 taken as an expression in base-13 IS equal to 6 x 9. 
Deep Thought was designed as a base-13 computer...? I bet someone else (DNA?) has already thought of that... 
rooftiler
Please add mine/musings on other possibilities
Argon0 (50 and feeling it - back for a bit) Posted Sep 29, 2003
I'd have to say that the last one wasn't valid, as the numbers have to be in order... 
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