O.T. Numbers

Ok, how does it do that?

Sunny

You really want to know? OK, here we go:

This is the instructions:

Think of a two digit number, say 27.

Add the two digits, 2+7=9.

Subtract from you original number, 27-9=18.

Basically, the resulting number is always a multiple of 9 (9, 18, 27, etc). And all of those have the same symbol in one round of the game (the round, they make it a different symbol to help trick you).

But why is it always a multiple of 9?

Let's try the same calculation in a different way:

Think of a number, say 27.

Subtract the second digit: 27-7=20. This is always going to be one of 10, 20, 30 etc. So, it doesn't matter for the trick which _second_ digit, you chose.

Then subtract the first digit: 20-2=18. But this is always a multiple of 9: 1*9+1 = 10 2*9+2 = 20 etc.

Clear as mud?

Hanne in London

Howdy!

Does this need a "WARNING: SPOILER" ?

It's either the other language (is that an Arabic script? so you'd read it right to left) that is the key. Or:

Multiples of 9 is the answer. Each game the symbol changes for the multiples of 9, giving a different symbol from the game before, but still w/ the same method leading to a multiple of 9. This won me a comic book in the 6th grade, knowing a few math "tricks". ;-)

I'm good at geometry, too, which leads to quilting.

Cheers! R/Sandy