Unutterably Silly Quiz

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Sorry, I forgot I posed a question.
The title in English is The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki and the original title is Sasameyuki which means gentle snow fall.
It always struck me as a tad odd how the title was changed.

So I take a break from looking at this thread and two of my favorite books by a couple of my favorite authors are the answer to quiz questions. It actually surprises me that the original title of The Makioka Sisters was a "gentle snow fall" in English. I would have thought more likely something to do with cherry blossoms.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Sounds to me like you were opening a Swedish milk carton, but I doubt that is what you are asking about.

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Sounds to me like someone new to milking a cow learning how to do it.

Yes, milking a cow.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by Hamlet53

So I take a break from looking at this thread and two of my favorite books by a couple of my favorite authors are the answer to quiz questions. It actually surprises me that the original title of The Makioka Sisters was a "gentle snow fall" in English. I would have thought more likely something to do with cherry blossoms.

Sasameyuki 細雪 is actually a very poetic title. Something completely lost in the translation.

[pdurrant]

I think it might be my turn. Let's have a quick one:

How can 6 x 9 = 42?

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I think it might be my turn. Let's have a quick one:

How can 6 x 9 = 42?

It was Douglas Adams' maths homework?

[pdurrant]

Not the answer I'm looking for, although your have identified the inspiration for the question.

[Stitchawl]

Easy! Just take away 12 after you finish the multiplication!


Stitchawl

[Bilbo1967]

I think that the answer is that it's true in a certain base - although I am not numerate enough to work out what base that is right now.

[Iznogood]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I think that the answer is that it's true in a certain base - although I am not numerate enough to work out what base that is right now.

Good point! If the point is to switch base, then it's base 13

[maianhvk]

6x9 = 54 (decimal, base of 10)
convert them to base of 13:
6-->6
9-->9
54-->42
voilà.

[pdurrant]

Yes, Iznogood has the answer, even though maianhvk wrote it out nicely.

6x9=42 in base 13.

Over to you, Iznogood.

[Iznogood]

I think Bilbo should get the credit for the correct answer. I had never thought of changing base without Bilbos suggestion - I only did the math. So Bilbo can ask the next question

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Iznogood

I think Bilbo should get the credit for the correct answer. I had never thought of changing base without Bilbos suggestion - I only did the math. So Bilbo can ask the next question

Thanks.

I'm just about to set off for home from work and I then need to move furniture around at home. I'll happily set a question, but it'll be a few hours. If anybody wants to scoot in ahead of me, feel free.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Iznogood

Good point! If the point is to switch base, then it's base 13

I remember when I discovered that and thought I was a genius—then I discovered that a whole army of Adams fans had discovered it before me and I didn't feel so special.

For the record, Adams said it was just a coincidence that it worked out that way in base 13. His intention was to write something humorous and off the wall. That it turned out to be mathematically accurate was purely serendipitous.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I remember when I discovered that and thought I was a genius—then I discovered that a whole army of Adams fans had discovered it before me and I didn't feel so special.

For the record, Adams said it was just a coincidence that it worked out that way in base 13. His intention was to write something humorous and off the wall. That it turned out to be mathematically accurate was purely serendipitous.

It was a one in three to one in four chance of an integer base

36 : 6x9 in base 16
37 : no integer base solution
38 : no integer base solution
39 : 6x9 in base 15
40 : no integer base solution
41 : no integer base solution
42 : 6x9 in base 13
43 : no integer base solution
44 : no integer base solution
45 : no integer base solution
46 : 6x9 in base 12