So it was 42 after all.

[TR Shadow]

I got an email from my father today:

"Julie,

Here's something cool. Mathematicians and physicists have been working for a long time to find something called the Riemann zeta function.  This describes mathematically how electrons are distributed around the nucleus of atoms.

The first few moments (or roots) of the Riemann zeta function were known. The first moment was 1, and the second was 2, those were known for some time. However the important number from the Riemann zeta function would be the 3rd one. Finding the 3rd moment of the Riemann zeta function would confirm the relationship between math, specifically prime numbers, and quantum physics.

So finally they figured out the all important 3rd moment -- but you knew it all the time. The 3rd moment of the Riemann zeta function, possibly the most important math discovery of the last 50 years -- 42. It really is the answer to the meaning of the universe.

But you knew that already didn't you."

And he also sent this link:

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/03/prime_numbers_get_hitched.php?utm_source=seedmag-main=rss


Don't know how many of you will find this amusing, but what the heck.

[windhound]

wonder if your dad reads slashdot
http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/03/27/1315212.shtml

looks like a decent artical, might read it later

[Aqualis]

Cool.

It even mentioned HHGTTG, near the bottom of the second page.