What’s Your Favourite Number?
Many people have favourite numbers but there has been scant research on why this should be so. Why have an emotional attachment to an unemotional number? The mathematitian Alex Bellos would like to know and his survey website is www.favouritenumber.net .
The website is simple to complete, and refreshingly there is no email collection. Only leave an email address if you want the results of the survey 
which will be in 2012.
My favourite number is 42 because according to Douglas Adams and his Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to “Life the Universe and Everything”. It took the most powerful computer in the Universe ‘Deep Thought’ millions of years to calculate this answer, so it must be correct. Every philosophy department in universities should now shut down, there are no mysteries left to answer.
My second favourite number is 9. That’s because I was born on the 9th of July, also 9 is the highest number you can have. The only way to get a higher number is by adding another digit.
What’s your favourite number?, and why?
John McNally
Leamington Spa, England
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
Why have an emotional attachment to a number indeed!
My favourite number is 7, why? I haven’t a clue, maybe it’s some sort of superstition. My second favourite is 9, the same reason as you John, but my birth month is January.
I have visited the site and filled in the short survey. Happy birthday on Saturday and have a drink or three for me, after your abstinence you certainly deserve it.
Bill
A-U-L, UK
http://billmurney.com/blog/great-british-comedians-part-3/
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John McNally
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July 7th, 2011 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the birthday greetings Bill, I had forgotten it was this week. I have completed the survey as well but I didn’t give my email address, I just assume I will see the results published somewhere.
Interesting that your favourite numbers are 7 and 9. I normally prefer even numbers, I just like the way they look. The only reason 9 is one of my favourites is it’s my birthday, I would have prefered the 8th. I would get my presents earlier as well.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Mine is 12. It’s what I say when people ask me a quesiton with a numeric answer but I don’t know what is correct or it is unknowable. I like twelve because it is nice to say. the T and w are a nice combination. So there!
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John McNally
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July 7th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I see what you mean about the t and w, twelve is a nice word to say. It’s also an even number and I prefer those. My favourite number being 9 is just an accident of birth.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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23 has a meaning deep for many.
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John McNally
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July 7th, 2011 at 11:12 am
I’ve Googled 23 and you’re right. Robert Anton Wilson and William Burroughs getting involved. I’m sticking with 42 though, it’s funnier.
John
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Hello John, 9th July eh? Same as my mum’s, so a happy birthday for Saturday mate.
Favourite number…. 7 due to the fact that it was the first time tables I learnt at school. Most people go for 5 times tables but for some strange reason i started on 7′s and liked it.
Take care mate, hope you’re over your health issues now John.
Barry
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John McNally
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July 7th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Happy birthday to your Mum Barry, I hope she is keeping well.
7 is also Bill’s favourite number. I would never have guessed odd numbers would be popular, for some reason I prefer even numbers. You’re right about the times tables, I started on 5′s, and still use it as my base for calculations.
I’m not 100% yet but getting there slowly.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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I really don’t have one. Guess that’s why i don’t play the Lotto very often. The only number I truly concerned about is when mine is up.
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John McNally
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July 12th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Good point Hansi, your number being up is the only one to worry about.
John
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Hi John,
I don’t have a favorite number. I have favorite numbers, they are 853856 because they are the numbers to my bank account. LoL
Happy Birthday to you John. Have a good 1.
Terry Conti
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John McNally
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July 12th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Thanks for the birthday wishes Terry. You have a long favourite number; I just hope your bank account remains your favourite for many years to come.
John
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Hi John,
I don’t really get why people feel that attachment to a number. We have favorite foods, colors, seasons, but we can actually interact with those and we gain pleasure from them.
The only reason i can think for numbers is that our brain is somehow wired to react to certain mathematical patterns?!
Still clueless, Martin
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John McNally
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July 12th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
That’s a good point about interaction and attachment Martin, I think we can interact with numbers however. We could use favourite numbers for the National Lottery or to bet on horses.
John
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Martin from CDL Exam
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July 16th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Don’t remind me!
)
You wouldn’t want to know how much i lost in the lottery
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I don’t have a favourite number, John, although I’m particularly partial to Pi, especially when served hot!
Happy birthday for yesterday John.
So much beer and so little time!
Don
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John McNally
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July 12th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for the birthday wishes Don. Hot pi is a good number to have and it’s infinite, so it’s the longest number you could have. If I could have a beer for every digit in pi, I’d be happy and very, very drunk.
John
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Hi John
Seven.
Don’t know why it just seems magical.
Interesting blog.
James
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John McNally
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August 4th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
You don’t need a reason James, but everyone seems to have a favourite number.
John
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Don’t really have a favorite number, but if i’d really have to pick one i’d go with 7. It’s been said to be a holy number, and it’s encountered in all kind of mystic writings and in the Bible.
Don’t ask me why, i have no idea.
Lynn Sanders@Become Medical Assistant´s last [type] ..What Is A Medical Assistant?
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John McNally
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August 25th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Seven is quite a popular number Lynn, as you said it’s used in mystical writings about 7 levels of existence.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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My favourite number is 13 – I passed my driving test on Friday 13th February, 1981, I signed the leases on all my shops on 13th of any given month (mostly February) and I successfully use 13 in number based games. However, if I were to work it all out the probability is that any other number might work just as well, I just settled on 13 and stuck to it, hwich has to reap some kind of statistical success. And I just listened to Stephen Fry reading Hitchhiker’s Guide, had never read it, and I absolutely loved it!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
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John McNally
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Well done having 13 as your favourite number Mandy, most people think it’s unlucky but that is only in the last couple of hundred years, originally 13 was a lucky number. I have a blog post about 13 here; http://johnmcnally54.com/friday-13th-good-or-bad-luck/
I’m glad you are enjoying the Hitch-hiker’s Guide, have you come across Slarti Bartfast yet? He designed Norway and was particularly proud of all the fiddly bits around the coast.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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It’s always been the number 8 for me. I don’t know but ever since I was a child, they always say that it’s lucky. I wouldn’t say that I use this number to be lucky but it somehow serves as a sign for me. Whenever I’ve been assigned this number, a locker number of example, I know that it’s going to be a lucky day / career for me.
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Mitch, I think you’re the first one to have a lucky number 8, well done, I wish my own favourite number was more unique. I know what you mean about having a locker number 8 being a good portent for the day, I bet it puts a smile on your face when it happens.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Felt like a number is lucky for me at any time but there is nothing like favorite number. I’d still say 8 is my favorite number as it is very flexible no.
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John McNally
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October 2nd, 2011 at 5:01 pm
A second vote for number 8 Joel. 8 pints make a gallon so it’s a good number for a drinker to use.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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I don’t have favorite number.Even favorite colors.Supposedly,we can relate by any means with those and achieve satisfaction from them .
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John McNally
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October 16th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Looks like you are not superstitious Iana, I thought most people have a favourite colour,but you’ve proven me wrong.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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My fav number is 7 I think?? I don’t know but 7 comes everywhere and I think its my fav number
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My favorite number is 20 because its my birthday. Next to it is 9, since I was born on the month of September. Oh! One more thing, 20 is my lucky number too because it always appear on my parents lottery number combination! LOL
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