Why is 42 the answer to life the world and everything?

Answer 1

Answer #1:

The answer to life is 42 because the author of the original book the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy decided it would be a good number for the problem. And its ironic also. Instead of everyone always looking for the answer they search for the Question. Which turns out to be as far as I know... What is 6 x 7.

Answer #2:

To add-on to Answer #1, the Ultimate Question is unknown. The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, however, is known to be 42.

How it was computed had to deal with 6 x 9 = 42. Now this does not make sense in the Base 10 number system (our common system). However, when computed in Base 13, the equation actually works out.

613 x 913 = 4213. Now 6 and 9 in Base 13 still are 6 and 9.

However, 42 is represented in groups of 13 instead of groups of 10, as would be found in the Base 10 number system.

So, instead of 4 x 13 = 52, 4 x 13 = 40 (since 13 is translated to 10). 2 x 1 is still 2.

The original equation shows 6 x 9 = 54. Which is (4*13) + (2*1).

Therefore, with the case of Base 13, it would mean (4*10) + (2*1) = 40 + 2 = 42.

I know it does not solve the question of "Why?", but it does solve the question of "How?".

Answer 2

hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy explains this question for you.