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.