Special whole numbers...

[nibble4bits]

Hmm, I wonder if I'm on the right track.
132=2^2*3*11 -> 30=2*3*5
813=3*271 -> 270=2*3^3*5
776=2^3*97 -> 96=2^5*3 -> 95=5*19 -> 18=2*3^2
945=3^3*5*7 -> 6=2*3

94=2*47 -> 46=2*13 -> 12=2^2*3

There is the obvious property if you look at the digits 3 at a time that if you subtract 1, you always tend to get low primes as at least 1 of the factors. This applys to ANY odd number, multiple of 3+1 and the like, prime or not.

Is there some cycle going on with the digits along these lines? I'll be sure to work on this some more as I'm learning a lot researching this!

I'll try seeing if there's some modular relationship or string operation like in this case:
946 -> 18 8 12 -> 2 16 16 2 4 -> 4 2 12 2 12 4 8=421221248
This string operation is very obvious - just keep doubling the old digits!
Since 946 is 3-digits and 132813776 is 9-digits long, I have to wonder if maybe you're not refering to groups of three, but an operation that triples the length of (roughly cubes) the original number.

[mfgoode]

Originally Posted by Kees

So close and yet so far. Triangular numbers seem to be a good plan, but in that case you have to look carefully at 946 and think 'why on earth did he choose 946 as a clue'

Kees: this is like Silvermans comment on IQ. You have to answer whats on the mind of the compiler. Any other answer is wrong in your eyes I have given several but they dont count with you!
And why the delay
Get on with it man its not an atomic secret worthy of the NP!!!.
Mally

[nibble4bits]

LOL Even with my silly sequences I gave hints. Come on, this isn't like a test - if it is then you're a sadist. ;)
If it takes more then a few days for anyone to post then you may have to give them some hints. I think I know what the answer is but I have to verify it. It still could be wrong because I've had to verify several answers.

[mfgoode]

Originally Posted by nibble4bits

LOL Even with my silly sequences I gave hints. Come on, this isn't like a test - if it is then you're a sadist. ;)
If it takes more then a few days for anyone to post then you may have to give them some hints. I think I know what the answer is but I have to verify it. It still could be wrong because I've had to verify several answers.

In the meantime Marquis de Sade must be turning in his grave.
Mally

[Kees]

well,

the most simple property of 946 is naturally

1+2+3+...+43

I think you guys are missing the M's

[Kees]

starting out a new challenge

for previous number

M1+M2+...+M43= 132813776

As new number

9467

Clue will be posted on friday

[Kees]

Well, the clue is: factorise LOST

[mfgoode]

Originally Posted by Kees

Well, the clue is: factorise LOST

I still have no clue to your clue
Mally :coffee ::

[Kees]

Maybe it is a good sign that nobody finds a solution to a TV-related number.
4,8,15,16,23...

I will post a new number then, not related to television...

16924182418

[Kees]

well, hints tend to be obvious for the poser of the problem and nebulous for the one who tries to solve it. Anyway, here is one nebulous clue

try to read the number as a word and think of a circle

[jasong]

Originally Posted by Kees

Well, the clue is: factorise LOST

Do you mean LOST as a base-36 number?

I'd try, but I wiped my hard drive accidentally, and the backup system wasn't doing what it was supposed to. (I still have no idea why).

[off-topic]Luckily, it was mostly television shows and DC stuff, so no big loss. I've thrown temper tantrums over a lot less, so I'd really like to know why my psyche is able to deal with this so well.[/off-topic]