The book of numbers - William R Hartston

Combining arithmetical oddities with historical facts, numbers in literature, art and music, statistical information and a range of other numerical oddities, this book aims to provide a reference source for collectors of information. It unearths some bizarre and amusing arithmetical coincidences as well as providing the material for deciding whether Douglas Adams was right about 42 being the answer to life, the Universe and Everything. Information contained in the book includes: the fact that the number three is the highest number in the language of the Yancos tribe of the Amazon; that the number of cups of tea drunk each day by the average Briton is identical to the number of frogs eaten each year per capita in France - four; and that the number four is also the number of months an oyster can survive out of water, the fingers on each of Mickey Mouse's hands and Edgar Wallace's "Just Men".;Presented in numerical order, with framed features on significant numbers, and relevant topics such as counting, horology and lists, the book is indexed and cross-referenced in order to be used both for reference and pleasure.