and nights, a time in which he learned nine magical songs and 18 magical runes. In
addition, there were nine realms of existence, 40 Norse Valkyries, and 13 Norse Gods
were present when Loki caused the death of Baldur.
In China, the number three is lucky, and eight is even luckier. Six and nine also
run close behind. The number six implies that everything will go smoothly; eight was
originally favored by the Cantonese, since in their language eight means to make a
great fortune in the near future (later, the Chinese favored the number); nine implies
something everlasting, especially in friendship and marriage. Numbers ending in
these digits are often favored today when Chinese people choose phone numbers,
room numbers, and car licenses. As for unlucky numbers, four (unlucky also in Japan)
and seven are at the top of the list, the former implying death and the latter meaning
“gone.” Fourteen is also bad news. In fact, some cities in China ban the number from
car licenses, and many buildings do not have fourth and fourteenth floors.
How do astrologersperceive numbersin relationship to the solar system?
Astrologers—people who look at the universe in terms of how it affects human behav-
ior and future events—perceive that each number from 0 to 9 is ruled by a certain
celestial body in our solar system. Based on various factors, people are given certain
numbers that then can be used to determine a person’s dominant personality, and
even his or her future. For example, the number two is ruled by the Moon; a person
with that number is cooperative, emotive, and has a great deal of feeling; the number
seven is ruled by Neptune, with the person being spiritual, and thus it is the number
of mystics, visionaries, and seers. Not everyone subscribes to this way of “knowing
ourselves,” but soothsayers have been around for centuries, finding numbers and
sundry other cosmic quantities for people who believe in astrology.
MATH IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
What is money?
Actually, money is a mathematical concept. In each culture, money (or currency) is
the most common medium of exchange, and through an “agreement” within a com-
munity it can be traded and exchanged for goods, services, or obligations. Each type of
currency represents specific units that can be subdivided (such as dollar bills and
quarters). A good or service is then given a certain value when compared to other
goods and services, what is usually referred to as a price. Because of this, people who
use money need to know some of the most basic of mathematical concepts, especially
addition and subtraction.
Of course, money is actually an abstraction. Now and over the centuries, it has
been essentially a token. That is why money has often been represented by such things 387