Mathematics!

This post was kindly contributed by cast member Kelli Plaisted.

“Mathematics may be defined as: the study of relationships among quantities, magnitudes and properties; the study of quantity, structure, space and change; some have seen it in terms as simple as a search for patterns.” 

 http://www.storyofmathematics.com/

Alice says, "Let me see: four times five is twelve, and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is—oh dear! I shall never get to twenty at that rate!"

Alice is correct. 4 x 5=12... when expressed in base 18. Bases are different standards by which numbers are measured. We count in base 10, computers count in base 2 (a.k.a. binary)… So anyway, following this pattern...

4 x 5=12 (base 18)

4 x 6=13 (base 21)

4 x 7=14 (base 24)

4 x 8=15 (base 27)

4 x 9=16 (base 30)

4 x 10=17 (base 33)

4 x 11=18 (base 36)

4 x 12=19 (base 39)

4 x 13=1A (base 42) (or about 32 (base 10) short of 20). 

The equation falls apart here. Alice will indeed never get to 20 at this rate. :)

http://www.eeggs.com/items/20350.html