Looking Back At Technology

Posted on February 26, 2009
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I recently bought a USB data storage device, and was astonished at the range of devices on offer and the capacity that was available to me for such a small price. I’m a regular computer user but I wouldn’t describe myself as a geek, that is, I don’t browse magazines and catalogues looking at hardware and I don’t really understand how computers work, I just know that they do work, and that’s enough for me.

I’m also old enough to remember a time when there were no home computers, just. When I was about 8 Atari launched the Video Computer System. I remember being at a cousin’s house one Christmas and being in thrall to the sight of a small line being hit by a dot on the TV screen over and over; simple pleasures indeed.

Shortly after that I did get my first computer, a Sinclair Spectrum 48k. 48K! It was one of the most incredible things I’d ever owned. I felt like Luke Skywalker sitting in the cockpit of an X-Wing Fighter every time I sat in from of it. It was the future at my fingertips. 48k seemed like the most powerful thing imaginable and I wasn’t alone. So imagine my surprise when I found, twenty five years later while looking for my first USB stick, that I could buy a data storage device with over 150,000 times the capacity of that Spectrum computer. 

I suppose I shouldn’t have been too surprised, it was 25 years after all. But I couldn’t help think about how far things had come in such a short space of time. It got me thinking about my first home PC, not too long ago, just 10 years. It was a homemade effort, my uncle made it for me, it was considerably bigger than the spectrum and weighed as much as a TV (and that’s without the monitor). But it was good for the time even and with a 4GB hard drive I was able to store unlimited data . . . or so I thought.

4GB wouldn’t go far nowadays of course, I have nearly 140GB of music and the same again of video on my current computer, maybe that’s just the data I’ve accumulated over the years but I suspect that if I started with a clean slate today I could easily fill the same space in just a short time. As the capacity of data storage has become greater the amount of data to fill that space has also increased. And the ease with which we can get the data onto our machines is, well, child’s play.

As I have already said I’m not a computer geek but I do use the computer a lot, particularly for music and films, in fact I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop, which is why I found myself looking for a USB data storage device. I wanted to move data between the two machines without having to burn a CD each time, which was beginning to prove costly and wasteful.

So I decided that I’d buy something that could get a file on it the size of a film, about 1GB. Surely that would be enough. But when I looked into it I was drawn in by the spec, the offers and the sheer size of some of the data storage devices that were on offer. I looked, in some cases, like the more I could get on one of these devices the smaller it became physically.

So I opted for 8GB satisfied that unlike my Spectrum and first PC technology wouldn’t move forward so much in the next few years that I’d need to buy something bigger any time soon. HA! No sooner had I bought it than I got an email for an offer on a 64GB data storage device.

A Quick Primer On Pepper Spray And Consumer Defense Sprays

Posted on February 22, 2009
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Do you know what a Self Defense Spray made from?
There are three types of chemicals used in self defense sprays. The first couple are types of tear gas and are called CS and CN. These man made chemicals are irritants to the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and lung). In large quantities, they cause heavy flow of tears and produce mucus and some choking. Tear gas has been used by police for many years for crowd control.

The third and perhaps most common chemical today is OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), commonly known as defense spray.  OC is an inflammatory agent made from hot cayenne and other peppers. Upon contact to the sensitive mucous membranes, it causes an intense burning sensation, temporary blindness, restricted breathing and disorientation. Pepper Spray is a hot selling product available to the consumer.

What is the difference between pepper spray and tear gas?

You can’t fight thru the pain of tear gas. It will blind and choke you if it contacts the mucous membranes. Tear gas however isn’t as effective for intoxicated, crazy, super tough attackers.

Tear Gas isn’t effective on wild animals or dogs, pepper spray is. Tear Gas disburses fumes and you don’t have to nail the attacker in the eyes. Pepper Spray does not emit fumes, and it will not deteriorate with age, but it must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective. Tear Gas takes take longer to be effective, anywhere from 10-20seconds, while the effects of pepper spray are almost instantaneous. Pepper Spray can be washed off with soap and water. Tear Gas takes longer to wear off and the chemical residue can last for days.

Recently, manufacturers have begun to combine the chemicals together to make a super potent spray with the characteristics of each chemical. Called Mace Triple Action, this formulation is super dependable when you need it. They even add in UV dye, so the bad guy can be easily identified by the police.

What are the benefits and limitations of pepper spray?

Pepper spray is an excellent self-defense product. It is used by nearly every law enforcement agency throughout the country. It is non-lethal and extremely effective when sprayed in the facial area and eyes. It put a safe distance between your and an attacker and gives you plenty of time to escape and seek help. Because pepper spray does not cause any long lasting discomfort or injury to the attacker, people are more likely to use it without hesitation. Acting quickly can often keep you from serious injuries and save your life. Pepper spray is very inexpensive, and is not typically restricted by law. A permit is not usually required to carry them. Even so, you should still be aware of its limitations. Pepper Spray may take a few seconds to disable and attacker, so that assailant may be able to take your canister away from you, before the effects of the spray kick in. That means your own weapon may be used against you. Also, wind and rain may reduce its range and effectiveness. You may get spray-back when sprayed against strong wind.

How do I measure the effectiveness of pepper spray?

Pepper Spray is rated in two ways: OC% and SHU rating. The % you see listed on the package (10%, 15%, etc.) explains how much OC is in the container relative to the other ingredients (propellant, dyes, etc.). However, this percentage cannot always be used to compare the “hotness” of different pepper sprays, and there are mixtures of various potencies of OC. The hotness of OC is directly related to the amount of the capsaicin in the OC, which varies significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. The amount of capsaicin in OC is rated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). To compare the hotness of two different pepper sprays, SHU rating is more important. The more capsaicin content the OC has, the hotter & more effective the spray will be. Two million SHU will be sufficient to stop an attack.

Will pepper spray expire? How often should I replace my pepper spray?

Most sprays have an expiration date stamped on the side of the canister. OC will not degrade over time, but the propellant may, and then the unit may not spray as far as expected, if at all. To make sure that propellant does not go bad, you should test your spray every 90 days. Every time you perform a test, you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you may need to replace the unit every year months.

How long for the spray to work, and how long will the effect last?

It can take 3-5 seconds for pepper spray to take effect, and the effects can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about 80 minutes depending on concentration, which will give you plenty of time to escape an attacker and call the police.

The UV Dye, a harmless additive used to assist authorities in catching the attacker, will generally wear off in about a week.

When should I use pepper spray?

Use pepper spray if you feel threatened or your life is in danger. And use it only in defense of people, not property. Always maintain situational awareness and remember that its a crime to use self-defense sprays in an offensive manner.

What should I get: foam, spray, gel, fogger?
It just depends on your specific application and preference. Mace brand gels and foams are preferred by many as they are really hard to wipe off. It just spreads and burns! The spray is actually a stream of liquid, and is easier to aim into the eyes and mouth. The fogger is good for crowd control.

How should I store & carry pepper spray?
Store your defensive spray in a safe place at room temperature. Keep it away from children. Do not leave it in a hot place during summer because high temperatures may cause the seals to leak.

Think in advance how you whenever possible, and keep it in the same place. You can put it in a loose outer pocket of a jacket or inside a pants pocket, or in a purse with an open pocket. Try a few different carrying methods and find good accessible locations for you. Practice and make sure you can draw it quickly in an emergency situation. The keychain pepper sprays are very convenient, and you are more likely to carry them with you all the time because of its convenience.

How do I use pepper spray?

It is very important that you get comfortable with and practice with the specific spray you are going to carry. Study the canister, the nozzle, and the dispenser. Take your canister to an open field, make sure the wind, if any, is at your back, and fire it for about two seconds. How far will it spray? Is the spray a stream or a foggy mist? How did it react to the wind? Can you spray it into the eyes of an attacker?

In an emergency situation, make sure you have distance between you and the attacker. Don’t get within their reach. Don’t threaten an attacker with your spray. Fire 2 or 3 second bursts directly into the eyes of the attacker. If it is not working, give them another two seconds. The small pocket or purse size will give you between about 10 seconds of continual fire. Once the threat is stopped, run immediately and call the police. If your spray contains UV dye, tell the police that. It can help the police to identify your attacker.

Is Pepper Spray Legal in my state?

Pepper spray is LEGAL in every state in the union. However, some states and cities have specific rules pertaining to the purchase, possession and use of defense sprays. Please check with your local law enforcement agency for any regulations your state may have.

Is there anyplace where I cannot carry pepper spray?
Yes. Don’t attempt to carry any pepper spray on an airplane or in carry-on luggage or in the passenger area. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows one defense spray (up to 4 oz) per traveler in your checked luggage only.

Foreign Currency Exchange Marketplace – A Vital Element Of The Worldwide Economic System

Posted on February 22, 2009
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The complex world of foreign currency exchange

The foreign currency exchange market is one of the most critical constituents of the modern economy, and is significantly different from the other major market, the stock exchange. The stock exchange is highly organized with very clearly defined transaction mechanisms, timings and clearing processes. Forex market meanwhile, works mostly on trust based deals between two parties and is not governed by any timings. Out of the about $3 trillion worth of daily transactions taking place in the foreign currency exchange market of the major world economies, most are based on trust between the two parties. Hedging allows dealers to manage the risk arising out of the trust factor in a forex transaction.

London accounts for the highest amount of foreign currency exchange transactions and is recognized as the centre of the Forex market. Two important reasons have made London the leading forex market. London was the centre of the world for almost two decades of the British Empire, and was the hub for financial trading. Post British Empire, New York has emerged as the leading city in the world of finance but in terms of foreign exchange, London has held to its number one position. The second important reason is owing to the fact that London lies between Asia and America, and hence bridges the time zone gap between the two leading economies of the world, USA and Japan, thus becoming the most convenient location for transactions involving parties from the two countries.

For most big countries, foreign currency exchange rates are determined just like any other commodity – through demand and supply of the currency. The health of a country’s economy, as well as its trade with other countries plays a big role in determining its currency’s exchange rate. As economic conditions change, they also project themselves on the exchange rate of a country’s currency. Economists use data from around the world to make predictions on the outlook of the economy. These predictions on the economy when tested in present, depending on their nature affect the foreign currency rates.

That however does not mean that the governments have no control over the rates of their currency. Amongst several ways in which the governments can affect the exchange rates, changing interest rates and issuing bonds are the key ones. In the UK, decisions with regards to changes in interest rates are taken by Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England, and this is often used to exercise control over the foreign exchange rates. Increase in interest rate by the MPC usually leads to a stronger pound, and similarly when the interest rate is lowered, the pound weakens.

Foreign currency exchange management gains huge significance in today’s highly integrated global economy. An increasing number of companies are getting engaged in overseas business and require foreign currency exchange services for international monetary transactions. Moreover, the dynamic changes in exchange rates and trade in more than one currency can make the management of a company’s foreign exchange difficult. There exist several firms that can help the companies manage their foreign exchange related needs effectively and simplify their overseas monetary business transactions.

Oak Village – Oakville, Iowa

Posted on February 21, 2009
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Southeast Iowa has a lot to offer the tourists that visit but not many are as unique as the archeological find that was unearthed by the flood of 2008 in the small community of Oakville.

The site, now called Oak Village, is from the Woodland period which is 300 to 400 AD where the Native Americans made their home. The village was round, kind of a donut-shaped area with houses around the outside and the center being open. Here there were probably 20 to 25 wigwam homes situated with 10 people living in each one.

This is a time when the Native Americans became more sedentary. Previously they moved frequently but at this site, and others like it, they remained for long periods of time.

Buying Beachfront In Mexico

Posted on February 20, 2009
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Looking for beachfront in Mexico? here are some things your should know. There are restrictions affecting land near the border and coast. These areas are called the “restricted zone”, and covers land within 100 kilometers of any Mexican border and within 50 miles of any Mexican coastline.

Originally the “restricted zone” was created to protect Mexico from foreign attack. The goal was to keep any foreigner from owning land that could be used to bring in an army and launch an attack on Mexico. This was written into the Mexican Constitution in Article 27. The constitution was signed in 1917 and made a lot of changes to who could own property. 

From a brief look at this section of the Mexican constitution from, it appears the government took a lot of land away from people. It changed the concept of land ownership to one where the government actually owns all the land and even though they sell it to individuals for use, the government can get it back if they want it. But this doesn’t happen very often and when it does it is similar to what happens in the U.S. when they put in a highway through an area that used to be private property–the government has to pay a reasonable price for the land.

Other than the “restricted zone” foreigners can own land subject to Mexican law. Just because you are a U.S. citizen doesn’t mean the land becomes U.S. property. It is treated just like a Mexican citizen owned it. 

If you are looking to buy property in Mexico keep in mind that there is no type of real estate license required. Anyone can sell real estate and there isn’t any type of code of ethics that they all agree with. You will want to work with someone trustworthy.

If you want to purchase property in the “restricted zone” there are ways to do it. The Mexican government knows that selling land on the coast is a great way to bring in money not just for the sale of the property but for the local economy. U.S. citizens coming to Mexico and spending lots money are a great way for the country to profit financially. However since the law about the “restricted zone” is written into the constitution it would take a lot of political work to change.

The Mexican government came up with a way to work around the constitution. You can create a legal entity in Mexico and use it to buy the land. Since the land is owned by a Mexican entity, this fulfills the constitutional requirements. If this entity is a trust, a foreigner can be named as the beneficiary. The trust is administered by a Mexican bank which is obligated to act on the behalf of the beneficiary of the trust.

So if you’re considering buying property somewhere in Mexico, get some professional help from a local, reputable firm, to help navigate the legal requirements.

Map Quest Maps & Directions On Your Cell

Posted on February 17, 2009
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Get Map Quest directions sent directly to your mobile device! With Map Quest Navigator you can receive driving directions spoken and concise right from your phone. Map Quest Send to Cell also allows you to transmit driving information from your PC to your phone so you can skip the printing process. Map Quest for Mobile Web lets you use the site to get all the maps and driving information you can manage right from your mobile web browser.

Why get a pricey machine when you can get the same things with Mapquest? Mapquest Navigator makes your mobile device into a global positioning system and helps you find any place anywhere in North America; fully equipped with voice operated directions. Driving directions have become easy as pie to upload and there is no need to purchase any special attachments, all you need is a web compatible cell. You can even receive phone calls without interrupting your instruction on some phone types. Mapquest Navigator is operated utilizing the most state of the art global positioning technology getting you to your final end goal conveniently and with ease.

What would be more convenient than looking up and charting a getaway on your home computer and transferring the gathered information instantly to your phone? Nada, this is why Map Quest has brought driving directions from your personal computer directly to your mobile device, you can have the ease of using a computer at home to get driving information and critique all the small details of your getaway then retrieve them on your phone. Map Quest Mobile Send to Cell allows you to do just that; transfer the driving directions you planned at home instantly to your cell, sparing your time and paper.

Driving directions are easy to get from Map Quest for Mobile Web. Map Quest for Mobile Web is the scaled down rendition of the well known site. You can look for alternate routes, road atlases, gas stations; anything available on mapquest.com is also available on the mobile web version. Want to add another stop to your trip, take a detour, find an alternate route, or skip traffic? Do what you want, when you want because you want to, all in the palm of your hand. Map Quest Mobile for Web…so much more for so much less the ordinary global tracking systems.

Peak District Destinations – Ashford On The Water

Posted on February 15, 2009
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Staying in a one of the cottages in Ashford, a town which is located on the banks of a river is a great choice your Peak District holiday. It is located north of Bakewell and is a very unique part of Derbyshire as well as the Peak District so there is plenty to do in easy reach of the village.

If you like to explore, visit The Holy Trinity Church, which like many others in the region, is centuries old. Some parts of the church go back to the 13th century but much of it was rebuilt in the 1800’s as it had collapsed in places. Fortunately some of the original architecture has withstood the test of time.

From the 14th century, the lower section of the west tower, and the south door still has the original Norman tympanum depicting the tree of life, and in the center is a hog and wolf facing each other.

The church also has a number of artefacts that date from the 1600’s which include a chalice, a Jacobean pulpit, as well as a Perp style font.

An ancient custom from the 1700’s was to hang funeral garland made of white paper that had been cut into rosettes and attached to a wooden frame, then carried in front of the coffin in the funeral procession, then hung up on the roof of the church.

The village once was home to a candle-making industry, however there is only one house in the place of the old factory, located on Greaves Lane.

One of the most picturesque things you will find here is the Sheep Wash Bride. Historically this was used as a packhorse bridge, and later on it became popular with sheep herders who were able to wash their flocks here before shearing.

Ashford has long been known for all of the black marble that is produces. Once the marble is polished to a shine, it is used in mosaics, jewellery, table tops, and clocks. You can find black marble tables in the Ashford Church and throughout the U.S., as this type of marble has become very popular.

One of the most fascinating things in Ashford dealing with the culture of the village, is the dressing of the well that happens on Trinity Sunday. On this day, six wells are dressed, which means they are layered with leaves and other natural objects that can be found nearby. The objects are then placed on a bed of clay to create a picture.

Notable properties in the area include Ashford Hall which overlooks a beautiful lake that is part of the River Wye. Built in 1785 by Joseph Pickford, Ashford Hall has a lot of history and today it is privately owned and belongs to the Olivier family.

Just down the road from Ashford, you can also find a Georgian house that is T-shaped which is better known as Thornbridge Hall. Until the middle of the 20th century, the hall continued to be privately owned but has had a succession of roles being a college for teachers in training to an antique shop.

Learn Spanish Faster By Visiting Spain

Posted on February 15, 2009
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There is no better way to learn the Spanish language than from the people that speak it every day.

One of the greatest advantages to learning Spanish in Spain is that you will be able to enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of Spain as you learn. What better way to learn a new language than by soaking up the culture of the country where the language originated?

When in country you will not be bogged down with the grammar and mechanics of the Spanish language. You will be exposed to the language, dialect and facial expressions of native speakers day in and day out.

Think about this. When you were a baby, you learned to talk by repeating what you heard other people say. You had no idea how to spell the words you were saying and you were not concerned with what was a noun or a pronoun. You just enjoyed hearing yourself talk.

First let me tell you the one thing – don’t be afraid of it being hard, because the Spanish language is extremely similar to English. The sentence structure, and word pronunciation is just like English.

The simplicity behind it, makes reading Spanish a breeze, which will be particularly helpful as you are trying to read Spanish signs during your vacation. The main challenge is the large vocabulary list that you will need to learn.

Once you get the basics of Spanish words, then you will be able to figure out almost any sentence. There are thousands of Spanish words that you will be able to figure out, simply because you already know English. Another reason that makes Spanish easier to learn, is that all of the vowels have a constant sound. 

You should surround yourself with many Spanish speakers as you can, before your travels. It will be great practice to start conversing in real life conversations with your friends because you won’t feel any pressure if you get something wrong, plus they’ll give you great help in correcting your mistakes.

Real Spanish speakers speak a bit faster than English speakers so its important to have enough practice to understand the faster paced style of speech.

Markets & Shopping Spots In London

Posted on February 15, 2009
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The capital city of England, London, is nearly as famous for its incredible shopping opportunities as it is for its interesting history and fascinating culture Folk from all ’round the globe take city breaks in London to take advantage of the immense selection of specialist markets, boutique stores and department stores. With the weak Pound and strong Dollar visitors from America will discover goods are nowhere near as costly as they can be, the same can be said for those visitors traveling from other countries in Europe because the UK £ is also finding it difficult against the Euro.

Famous Stores In London

Possibly the most well known of London’s department stores is Harrods of Knightsbridge the largest department store on the planet having about 18,000 m2 of floor space. The motto of Harrods department store is “all things for all people, everywhere” or ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’. Most folk associate Harrods with exclusivity and luxury and their food hall and toy department are world renowned

Selfridges is another department store worthy of a mention. situated on Oxford Street, the department store opened for business in 1909. Named after, and constructed by the businessman Gordon Selfridge Selfridges was especially designed so that the goods were more easily accessible to the buyers which was a drastic departure from the common practices of the day.

London Shopping – The Best Places To Go

Covent Garden has become very well known for its unusual and specialist shops and is generally accepted as a trendy place to frequent. As well as the fantastic shops you will also find a small number of restaurants and eating places in Covent Garden.

Another London market place which is well worth a mention is Camden Market. Although there have been a variety of markets in Camden at various times the present market only appeared in 1974. The market is actually a number of various adjoining markets altogether providing an amazing variety of wares.

Famous Shopping Streets In London

The main high street in Chelsea is the Kings Road which is one of London’s most chic and stylish streets on which to shop. The Kings Road was popular for clothes in the Sixties and Seventies and is closely associated with the Punk movement, these days the Kings Road is more subdued but still well worth visiting.

Sloane Street is another London road with a strong association with shopping which is named after Sir Hans Sloane who owned much of the surrounding land in the eighteenth century.

Staying In London

Getting to London is incredibly easy, being the nation’s capital transport links are superb and the London underground rail network makes everywhere very easy to get to.

London accommodation appears everywhere and is very easy to find but annoyingly it can be a bit expensive. It is usually best to book your London Hotel online where you will discover a broad range of accomodations.

Mental Arithmetic Tricks To Impress Others

Posted on February 13, 2009
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Mental Arithmetic Tricks to Surprise Others

While putting together a divisibility part for my web site that deals with mental arithmetic exercises, I came across some interesting facts about numbers that, to someone who does not understand these things, would seem like mental arithmetic magic.

In case you don’t know, the divisibility of a number refers to whether a number can be evenly divided by another. For example, 24 is divisible by 2 but 11 is not as it leaves a remainder.

Here are some mental arithmetic magic tricks I have found that you can use to surprise your family.

1. if a number is divisible by 3 then so are the numbers based on mixing up the digits of the original number. For example, consider 123 which can be evenly divided by by 3. Then 132, 213, 231, 312 and 321 (which are obtained by mixing up the digits 1, 2 and 3 that make up 123) are all divisible by 3. This is called a permutation of the digits of a number. Check it for yourself!

2. to make up a number that is divisible by 4, make up a number and tag on the end any 2 digit number divisible by 4. For example, I make up the number 111111111, and now I tag 16 (which is divisible by 4) on the end to get 11111111116. This number is divisible by 4. Check it for yourself!

An interesting trick follows on from this one. The following numbers can all be evenly divided by 4: 116, 1116, 11116, 111116, and so on . . . Not what you would expect!

3. if a number is divisible by 6, then any shuffle of its digits will give you a new number divisible by 6 as long as the last digit is even. For example, 1272 is divisible by 6. Permutations of its digits while keeping the last digit even gives me 2172, 2712, 1722, 7122, 7212 which can all be evenly divided by 6. Check it for yourself!

4. to make up a number that is divisible by 8, the process is very much like point 2. above. Make up a number and tag on the end any 3 digit number divisible by 8. For example, I make up the number 777777, and now I tag 016 (which is divisible by 8) on the end to get 777777016. This number is divisible by 8. Check it it for yourself!

Another interesting trick follows on from this one. The following numbers can all be evenly divided by 8: 1016, 11016, 111016, and so on . . . Again, not what you would expect!

5. if a number is divisible by 9 then so are the numbers based on mixing up the digits of the original number. For example, consider 189 which is divisible by 9. Then so are 198, 819, 891, 918 and 981. Check it it for yourself!

6. if a number is divisible by 11, then permutations of its odd digits and/or its even digits will give you a new number also divisible by 11. For example, consider 154 which is divisible by 11. Then so is 451 (obtained by swapping its first and third digits). Another example, consider 1122 which is divisible by 11. Then so is 1221 (obtained by swapping its second and fourth digits). Check it it for yourself!

7. if a number is divisible by 12, then any permutations of its digits (except for the last 2) will give you new numbers also divisible by 12. For example, 14652 is divisible by 12. Then so are 16452, 41652, 46152, 61452 and 64152. Check it it for yourself!

You would have to agree that such tricks do look like arithmetic magic which you can do in your head. In case you are wondering ‘why is it so?’ The trick lies in the test that determines whether a number is divisible by another.

Feel free to join my web site to understand how these tricks work. Membership is unconditionally free.

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