What is she up to now?

Blogger interrupted Duane's sister before she could explain why 496 is a "nice" number and what its factors add up to.

As a math geek, I can't resist the opportunity to post this footnote.

The factors -- more precisely, the proper factors -- of 496 add up to ... 496! (The "proper" factors of an integer n do not include n itself.)

Try it. Here are the integers that divide 496 without remainder: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 31, 62, 124, 248. And 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 31 + 62 + 124 + 248 = 496.

Such an integer is called a "perfect number." The Pythagoreans, back in the 6th century BC, were aware of the first few perfect numbers. Several more have been found since then, but nobody knows whether or not there are infinitely many of them. All the known perfect numbers are even, but whether there are any odd perfect numbers is another open question.

496 is the third perfect number. The first perfect number is 6 (which is the sum of its proper factors 1, 2, and 3.) Who knows the second perfect number?

I guess that since Duane's sister is looking for a "perfect" host-body (i.e. gorgeous and super-powerful), she figured it would be appropriate to have a "perfect" number of them to choose from.

Okay, Argo stop now.

Twenty Six. I wrote a program years ago in PL1 to find all the perfect numbers between 1 and 200 (good old Engineering Ten). I don't think that I still have all the "Punch Cards" for the IBM 360 91KK. I think I threw that box out years ago.

Let's try twenty four. I should learn to check my work before I answer from memmory.

How about Twent Eight. What's that they say, the third time is the charm?

Any more bids for this perfect number? Any advance on twenty-eight?

Anyone?

Twenty-eight... Going once... going twice... *bangs gavel* Gone! To the gentleman with the model airplane under his arm...

Argo, are they also called "abundant" numbers? Could they be considered the opposite of "prime" numbers? I demand to know!

Well, since you asked ...

An "abundant" number is LESS THAN the sum of its proper factors. The first abundant number is 12, which is less than the sum of its proper factors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

An integer that is MORE THAN the sum of its proper factors is called "deficient." 15 is an example, since it exceeds the sum of its proper factors 1, 3, and 5.

Abundant numbers are rarer than deficient numbers. (Only 21 of the first 100 integers are abundant.) Basically, this is because an abundant number has to have lots of distinct prime factors. Prime numbers themselves might be called "highly deficient," since by definition their only proper factor is 1.

And in answer to your other question, the opposite of "prime" is "composite" -- which simply means "not prime."

BTW, if Duane's sister had wanted more than 496 uber-host-bodies to choose from, she could have gone on to the next perfect number -- 8,128. Too much of a good thing, to quote Mae West, is ... wonderful.

Wassatyousay? (Math hates me) :?

Never mind -- just a couple of number whores talking shop.

On another note: Did any of those uber-izing beams strike eastern Massachusetts? I ask because -- and I swear I am not making this up -- my girl-friend actually pulled the knob off the front door as she was leaving the house this morning ...

Thanks for the lesson, Argo. Now I can really impress the chicks with my knowledge of abundant, deficient, prime AND composite numbers.

Sorry for the headache, Ultra.

Perhaps we should run an SWM Mathematics course (lead by Argo, naturally.) We could tailor the course to our specialist interests, e.g. "If Blogger is dangling three helpless soldiers from her left hand, and two more from her right-hand, what is the combined sound level (in decibels) of the screams when she tosses the men over her shoulder?"

Or "What is the average cup-size of the 496 potential "uber-host-bodies"? [ans: 36D]

Never mind -- just a couple of number whores talking shop.

I've never been called a NUMBER whore before. But I like it...

On another note: Did any of those uber-izing beams strike eastern Massachusetts? I ask because -- and I swear I am not making this up -- my girl-friend actually pulled the knob off the front door as she was leaving the house this morning ...

Massachusetts was INDEED hit. However, the girl who was zapped ended up in space with the 495 others. It is possible that your girlfriend received a small secondary (or "collateral") dose.

We have quite a lot in common. My missus has tried to pull my knob off on numerous occasions.

Cool I'll teach Anatomy.

Wait...that came out waaay wrong.

How about Physiology?

Cool I'll teach Anatomy.

Wait...that came out waaay wrong.

How about Physiology?

Anatomy is a GREAT idea. Thanks for volunteering!

I'm ready for my hands-on practical lesson now. *wipes drool*

..and perhaps Duane's sister will be giving classes in using brainwave power to hitch-hike. blog.conceptfan.com

Cool I'll teach Anatomy.

Wait...that came out waaay wrong.

How about Physiology?

Anatomy is a GREAT idea. Thanks for volunteering!

I'm ready for my hands-on practical lesson now. *wipes drool*

Hands off, perv!! There is no way I'm going to let a "normal" touch me! The only practical lesson you're going to get is Ass Kicking 101!

Hands off, perv!! There is no way I'm going to let a "normal" touch me! The only practical lesson you're going to get is Ass Kicking 101!

They're all like that to me. I'm already a phD in getting my "ass" kicked, thanks ( www.conceptfan.com/shorts/short004.html etc. etc.)


Perhaps I can get somewhere with Duane's sister, now that she's in a lovely new superhuman body... At least I've found out her name. I read it at blog.conceptfan.com

Happy early spring festivals/religious holidays/etc. everybody!

It looks like Blogger's spontaneous house-party has got out of hand... blog.conceptfan.com

Aww, conceptfan. I didn't mean to make you sad. It's really for your protection. Bad things can happen when I get "out of control", you know? That, and I'm just so much better than the rest of you... :wink:

It's really for your protection. Bad things can happen when I get "out of control", you know? That, and I'm just so much better than the rest of you... :wink:

I'd be willing to take my chances, but... Well, I'm not about to argue with you.


(Unless Blogger tells me to.)

You know, there are still 495 gorgeous, indestructible supergirls floating somewhere between Mars and Jupiter.

495 "heavenly bodies."

I think I'll take up astronomy. :wink:

You know, there are still 495 gorgeous, indestructible supergirls floating somewhere between Mars and Jupiter.

495 "heavenly bodies."

I think I'll take up astronomy. :wink:

Me too! Can you operate a telescope with one hand? :wink:

Sadly, it seems that all 495 of them are currently only interested in Duane.

Another holiday season bonus-length post from Blogger is online. As if by magic... blog.conceptfan.com

Psykers, magicians! The Food of the Gods!!!

Yeah, Maledict is getting antsy with all this psychic stuff going on, and is wondering when he can eat either Zara or Daphne.

Well, he is a Daemon, and he eats psychics and all.

Needs to be summoned though...

Get in line.

Sorry about that... :oops: :oops:

I'm quite happy to be at the back of the queue to face either Zara or Daphne... Anyway, In today's installment, Duane has trouble remembering his place blog.conceptfan.com