For Math Fans: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Number 42

In Douglas Adams' novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a very powerful computer named Deep Thought is asked to calculate the answer to  “Life, the Universe and Everything.” The answer is 42. Obviously, this is a very important number. Now if we could only figure out why.

Deep Thought takes 7.5 million years to calculate the answer to the ultimate question. The characters tasked with getting that answer are disappointed because it is not very useful. Yet, as the computer points out, the question itself was vaguely formulated. To find the correct statement of the query whose answer is 42, the computer will have to build a new version of itself. That, too, will take time. The new version of the computer is Earth. To find out what happens next, you’ll have to read Adams’s books.

The author’s choice of the number 42 has become a fixture of geek culture. It’s at the origin of a multitude of jokes and winks exchanged between initiates. If, for example, you ask your search engine variations of the question “What is the answer to everything?” it will most likely answer “42.” Try it in French or German. You’ll often get the same answer whether you use Google, Qwant, Wolfram Alpha (which specializes in calculating mathematical problems) or the chat bot Web app Cleverbot.

Adams has declared that the number 42 was a joke, a relatively small but meaningless number. Yet we see it everywhere, and not just because of the Hitchhiker's Guide. Find out how important the number 42 has always been at Scientific American. Warning: the article gets geekier and geekier as it goes along. -via Boing Boing

(Image credit: Martinultima)


Comments (3)

Newest 3
Newest 3 Comments

Apparently there's some law where goth nerds aren't allowed to wear these and light-up versions as actual googles, only as forehead ornaments.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
According to the WSJ, many Wall Street executives are buying remote farms and tons of ammo. They expect economic collapse followed by social anarchy. So, indeed, these goggles may be useful for those of us who besiege the Toxic Capitalists.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
@felixthecat

Sigh. These executives are so short sighted... they should be investing in pigeons and learning how to make their own ammo. It's a more viable long term investment for after the fall.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
yeah, theyre basically goth fashion acessories, tend to be worn like a headband rather than actually on the eyes, girls wear them alot when they wear hairpieces to cover up the natural hair that may still be showing around their forehead.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"For Math Fans: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Number 42"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More