Words and Numbers

Words & Numbers

 This picture of an old typewriter and calculator seemed like the perfect choice for this post about words and numbers.  They sat on the desk of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tires, when we visited his home in Akron, Ohio in October.

Whoever said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” was seriously wrong!  The Bible clearly states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Proverbs 18:21.  So, care in speaking is of paramount importance.  “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body,” Proverbs 16:24 ESV

Now, let’s shake off the danger, and have a bit of fun with the English language and some numbers.

 Some quotes about the power of “words:”

 "Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure."

  —Edward Thorndike

  "Good words are worth much, and cost little."

   —George Herbert

 Here are some interesting tidbits about the English language:

---There are only two English words that end with “gry.”

---What comes after once, twice, thrice?
                Answers at the end of this post

 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,” Ephesians 4:29 ESV

---What is the only English word with three consecutive repeated letters?

---Something that grows in a forest, with 7 letters, a Q and all 5 vowels.

  * * * * *

 Here’s an important point about numbers:  “You have to be odd to be number one.” And, of course, that famous quote, “The numbers speak for themselves.”

--What do the numbers 11 and 88 have in common?
--How many months of the year have 28 days?
--What did the triangle say to the circle?

 Here’s one of those clever, how-do-they-do-it formulas that can reveal your age through seven mathematical steps.  My grandson Declan discovered it online and we all got a kick out of watching it work every time.  Unless you are a math whiz, you’ll probably need a calculator for this one.  Here are the steps to discover both your age and the number you began with:

 --Pick a number between 1 and 10.
--Take your number and multiply by 2.
--Add 5
--Multiply by 50
--Add 1771
--If you already had a birthday this year, add 1
--Subtract the year you were born from the number
--Your answer:  ___ the first number is the one you originally chose
                           ____ the next numbers are your age

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother, “Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven,” Matthew 18:22.

Hope you enjoyed this Adventure with words and numbers.  What was your favorite puzzle?  I'd love to hear from you in the comment section.  Just click on the "Joyful Writer" above the picture and you'll be connected to the blog site and the comment section.  Have a Happy Day!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, 

O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer,” Psalm 19:14.

 

 
~Word Answers
---Angry and Hungry
--- Nothing! These three are the only words of their type, and no further terms in the series have ever existed
---Bookkeeper

---Sequoia
 
~Number Answers
---They both look alike upside down and backward
---All the months have 28 days
---You’re pointless