Math May 15, 2009March 15, 2017 NUMBER 9, NUMBER 9, NUMBER 9 Roger: “This is really good.” [HINT: Try it first before reading any further.] ☞ The question is: WHY does any two-digit number – when those two digits are subtracted from it – become a number divisible by 9? Roger: “Is that the question? Math isn’t my thing. To me this is simply a miracle.” ☞ Because the answer is always divisible by 9, they can always know the number you chose is divisible by 9. So if they put up an array of gifts – but have it be the same gift for 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, and 90 – they will always get it right. And I guess the answer to my question is, well, start out with 10. Subtract 1 and 0 from 10 and you get 9. From there on in, the die is cast. Because when you go up to 11, you are adding one more – but also subtracting one more. So still 9. Go up to 12 (12-1-2=9) and you’ve added one more and are subtracting one more. NAQ Allen Kath: “Can you reevaluate NAQ for us? With GM’s market cap at under a billion, smart guys (your characterization) with $400M to buy stuff is tempting to own.” ☞ Gosh – I hope they don’t buy GM. I think the most likely scenario is that they come up with a great deal that they ultimately cannot get the investors to approve . . . because a lot of those investors may have changed their risk profiles by now and be counting on return of their investment as risk-free cash. If that happens, we’ll get back our cash on any shares we own, perhaps even with a few cents profit – but all my beautiful little warrants will expire spectacularly worthless. But you never know. IN CONTEXT Ralph Sierra: “Take a good look at this cluster of stars. It isn’t a picture of the universe, it’s just one cluster of stars. Blow the picture up by clicking on the 2400 X 2025 view, and scroll to the edges. Take a good look at the faintest stars. Each one, more or less, the size of our solar system. Now, imagine how important it is where we spend eternity.” ☞ Or at least go see Star Trek.