Why is 6 afraid of 7? This is a question that many of us have heard or asked as a joke, usually followed by the punchline: because 7, 8, 9.
This joke is based on the homophone between the number 8 and the verb ate, which creates a pun that implies that 7 ate 9, and therefore 6 is afraid of 7.
But is there more to this joke than meets the eye? Is there a deeper meaning or a hidden logic behind this riddle? In this article, we will explore the math and the mystery behind the joke, and see if we can find some answers to why is 6 afraid of 7.
The Mystery Behind the Joke
Another way to approach the question of why is 6 afraid of 7 is to look at the cultural and historical meanings of these numbers. Is there something symbolic or significant about 6, 7, and 9 that makes them stand out from the rest of the numbers? Let’s see what we can find.
- 6 is often associated with balance, harmony, and perfection, as it is the smallest perfect number, and also the number of sides of a hexagon, which is a regular polygon that can tessellate the plane. However, 6 is also sometimes associated with evil, sin, and the devil, as it is the number of the beast in the Book of Revelation, and also the number of points of a hexagram, which is a symbol of occultism and witchcraft.
- 7 is often associated with luck, fortune, and magic, as it is the number of days in a week, the number of colors in a rainbow, and the number of wonders of the ancient world. However, 7 is also sometimes associated with danger, death, and disaster, as it is the number of deadly sins, the number of seals in the Book of Revelation, and the number of years of bad luck for breaking a mirror.
- 9 is often associated with completeness, wholeness, and eternity, as it is the number of digits in the decimal system, the number of muses in Greek mythology, and the number of lives of a cat. However, 9 is also sometimes associated with pain, suffering, and agony, as it is the number of circles of hell in Dante’s Inferno, the number of tails of a fox in Japanese folklore, and the number of stitches in a baseball.
So, we can see that 6, 7, and 9 are all rich in symbolism and significance, but does that explain why is 6 afraid of 7? Not really. There is no obvious cultural or historical reason why 6 should fear 7 more than any other number, or why 7 should eat 9 more than any other number. In fact, if we look at the cultural and historical meanings of these numbers, we can see that 6 and 7 have both positive and negative connotations, and that 9 has mostly positive connotations.
Conclusion
Why is 6 afraid of 7? The answer is simple: it is not. The joke is just a joke, and it has no deeper meaning or logic behind it. It is just a clever play on words, that exploits the homophone between 8 and ate, and creates a humorous scenario where numbers act like living beings. It is not meant to be taken seriously, or to be analyzed mathematically or culturally. It is just meant to be enjoyed and laughed at.
So, the next time you hear or tell the joke, why is 6 afraid of 7, do not just laugh and forget about it. Think about the numbers, and what they can teach you and inspire you. And remember, there is more to numbers than meets the eye.
