Actually Saint Chris, he says that he holds the question or a slight variation of the question. So 6x9 would be slightly off the real question, which is, of course, 6x7.

Just being a bit pedantic, but Douglas Adams' story goes that the Earth was an artificial machine created by aliens [or was it mice?] to calculate the great question to Life, the Universe and Everything. Having already established that the answer was 42, the great question to Life, the Universe and Everything was necessary, and this was a MUCH more difficult calculation. The hero? of the book, Arthur Dent believed himself (as did the mice) to hold the question. But I feel he didn't, because the question he came up with by pulling Scrabble letters out of a bag in 'The Restaurant at the End of the Universe' was ?

Which isn't the question to that answer...

Read the books, even if it doesn't help you, you'll enjoy them very much.

Wow...that was cool...yet, tho only thing I found interesting was it's disconnectedness, and its simplicity...wierd.

Interesting...though I've never heard the question before.

Douglas Adams rocks. It's horrible that he died and everything, like, a day before I started reading his stuff.

The question, in my opinion, was "How much do I have to pay for this call?"

The call, of course, was made to the universe in general, asking, "What is the meaning of life?"

Of course, there is a problem with that. Is it 42 dollars, pounds, francs, chickens? I think that the method of payment is probaby 42 days- of the caller's life...

The 42 days would be spent on hold, of course.

the question to the answer is quite obvious to any of the Hitch Hiker fanatics - aka, me.

'what do you get when you multiply 6 by 7?'

and there you have it - the question to the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything.

now, if you'll excuse me, i'll be off tending to the mice...

Sorry... Just had to say this...

Shannon, the answer to 412 is... Hehe... 43. x)

Well according to DOuglas Adams (the guy who wrote Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) 42 is the funniest number he could think of. I reckon the hidden meaning is this- There is no anwer or question, and if there is it is beyond our understanding. 42 is nonseical, as is the question. Gettit? Interesting essay, thouhg I feel you may be reading too much into it. :)

Of course the question could be- what is 6x7? If it is... AH!

Ah... Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. Darn good book.

My theory: 42 is the answer because the random said so. And the question? "What is the answer?" seems about right.

Ha, I'm such a dork...

42 is the answer to 412

The question's different for everyone. That's the beauty of it.

"If 42 was the answer,

What was the question?"

Precisely. ;)

Uhmm... Kay. Makes some sense... But... It dosen't make any sense, either. o_o;

Great essay!

SOMEONE has been reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...I LOVE THAT BOOK! I like your theory, but my theory is that 42 is the answer to no particular question. It is only there so people will have a reason to live- to look for the answer. You get it? I think I do. :) Cheers!

Chelzea