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 THE

7
POWER OF NUMBERS
EXEMPLIFIED BY THE LAWS OF

PERMUTATION ,
BEING

A Concise, but complete Treatise, on the astonishing properties of that

Power , in combination and alternate changes exhibited
IN A TABULAR PYRAMID OF 3325 FIGURES,
CONTAINING
THE PERMUTATIONS OF ALL THE NATURAL NUMBERS FROM ONE TO FIFTY ,
Found by Inspection only , which heretofore couldnot be ascertained without the
labour of calculating a Pyramidal Mountain of Figures, from One (upon which
all the others depend ) to the Permutation of the number sought;
BY WHICH USEFUL TABLE OF REFERENCE ,
A number of Interesting Phenomena in the Arts and Amusements of Life, are
correctly shewn, such as the
TONES OF MUSIC, ALPHABETIC TRANSPOSITIONS,
CHANGES OF BELLS ,
CHANCES OF CARDS, DICE, &c.
And the Wonderful Variations of
NE

THE KALEIDOSCOPE ,
3
MI

SO AS TO BE COMPREHENSIBLE TO THE MEANEST CAPACITY, UL 1

&

TO WHICH IS ADDED
LO
'AN APPENDIX ,
Shewing the Constant and Invariable Resolution of all Permuted Numbers into
NINES,
OR SOME POWER OR MULTIPLE THEREOF ,
TOGETHER WITH

RULES HOW TO RAISE OR SOLVE ANY PERMUTATION .

BY JOHN SNART , Φιλομαθ .

Author of the Mathematical Principles of Mensuration , &c. &c.

London :
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. ROBINS AND CO. ALBION PRESS, IVY LANE,
PATERNOSTER ROW , AND SOLD BY THE AUTHOR, 215 , TOOLEY STREET,
J. ROBINS AND SONS, 57, TOOLEY STREET , AND ALL BOOKSELLERS .
1819.
Price with the Table 2s. Bd.
Explanation of afew Algebraic Signs or Characters
made use of in the course of this Work, and which,
although adopted for brevity's sake, may, not be
familiar to all Readers.

As 24 hours = one day, signifies

SAs
= equal to... that 24 hours are equal to one
day.
"The sign of subtraction, as
minus, or less .... 9—3 = 6 , means that 9 lessened
by three are equal to six.
The sign of addition, as 8 + 46 J

+ plus, or more.... –54, means that 46 added to

8 are equal to 54.
Thus 12X12 = 144. That is,
X Multiplied by 12 multiplied by 12 are equal
to 144.

So 144:12= 12 signifies that

• Divided by 144 divided by 12 are equal
to 12 .

[ Entered at Stationers Hall.]

 THE

POWER OF NUMBERS,

Exemplified by the Laws of

PERMUTATION.

PERMUTATION is that peculiar feature of the

mathematics which demonstrates, by the power of
numbers, the astonishing variety of changes, or mu
tations, that may be effected in the order of any
given number of visible, or tangible bodies ; where
each one is independent of all the others. Such as
letters of the alphabet, figures, different coins, me
dals, with the changes of bells, chances of cards, &c.
the permutations of which , have in some slight de
gree and in detached shapes appeared in the world
already, but never in a tabular form , or to any thing
like the present extent, and in large sums not even
correct. Therefore the errors so often reiterated
from book to book could not be detected without
infinite labour; and to save that trouble the first
mistake has been repeatedly copied.
The possible permutation , or change of situation
in a small number, as 3 or 4, must be obvious enough
A 2
 4

at first sight; but where the number is very consi

derable ; nothing short of mathematical demonstration ,
is sufficient to satisfy the human mind of what is
nevertheless the real truth, respecting the astounding
variability of these numbers! To give this demon
stration, the matter is now reduced to a tabular
system in the annexed pyramid of figures; the ra
tionale of which may be understood by the three
first digits 1 , 2, 3, whose relative places at present
are in their natural or arithmetic order, but never
theless are susceptible of five permutations, conse
quently they are liable to be placed in six different
positions, constantly increasing, thus, 123, 132, 213,
231 , 312, or 321, whose changes can go no farther,
because every figure has been associated with all the
others in every possible way.
Again, if the four first letters of the alphabet
were disposed according to all their varieties, they
would assume this progressive order of Permutation,
making twenty -four changes, as shewn by the table :
A. B. C. D. B. A.C.D.C. A. B. D.D.A.B.C.
A. B. D. C. B. A. D. C. C , A.D. B. D. A.C. B.
A. C. B. D. B. C. A. D. C. B. A.D. D. B. A.C.
A. C. D. B. B. C. D.A. C. B. D. A. D.B.C.A.
A. D. B. C.B. D. A. C. C. D.A. B. D. C. A.B.
A. D. C. B. B. D. C. A. C.D. B. A. D.C. B. A.
And as the changes of the three figures produce
sums which are constantly increasing, so these letters
are made to diverge from their alphabetical order by
individual and gradual recession, until at last the
order of them is completely inverted , as that of the
gures in the permutation of three has been before ;
 5

and the only satisfactory way of effecting and in

suring all these variations without danger of repe
tition is, not by promiscuous changes, but by this
gradus. *
The same mode of procedure is to be adopted with
any greater sum of digits, numbers, or letters; when
it will be found that the permutations or changes,
increase in the compound ratio of the accumulating
numbers, combined with all the previous ones ; whose
increments are continually multiplied into all the
products, of all the foregoing numbers as may be
seen by the table (which is given intire, to elucidate
this astonishing power ) and where, though the first
digit, card, &c. has but one relative place, or rather
no relative at all, but a fixed and absolute place ; yet
tno maybe translocated (quid pro quo) as 1.2 . or 2.1 .
and three, as seen above, into six places. Also
twelve will admit of 479001600 changes, minus one
= 479001599 . Again ; if a party of thirteen per
sons were to be promiscuously seated in a company ,
it would be 6227020800 chances to one, that at a
subsequent meeting, they were all placed in the
same relative situation ; and if a stranger to their
former arrangement should attempt to replace them,
or they, having forgotten how they were situated,
were to undertake to restore that order, it would
require 11,847 years to produce all the possible
changes to effect it, at twelve hours per day and a
From the order of the above gradus, the following plain
Schobium may be deduced, in permuting of figures. That the units
and tens ( changing alternately , ) keep their places only once ; the
hundreds twice; thousands six times ; tens of ditto twenty - four
times ; hundreds of ditto one hundred and twenty times , &c. and
by dividing any permutation by its own Index, this may be found to
any extent , as a quotient.
 6

half minute for each change and no mistake ; because

the number of half minutes in one year, at twelve
hours per day, stand thus, 60X2X12X365 = 525600,
thep 6227020800-525600 = 11,847 years. And the
24 letters of the alphabet are capable of the egre
gious sum of 620448401733239439360000 changes!
Consequently if these letters were written so small
that each one occupied no more than the hundredth .
part of a square inch, the permutation of the whole
twenty -four letters would cover the intire surface of
this world (sea and land) 186153.6 times : admitting
its superficies to be one hundred and ninety-nine mil
lions, two hundred and fifty -six thousand, nine hun
dred and ten square miles! * For to shew how many
hundredths of an inch are in the surface of this globe,
the summation would stand thus, 199256910X
3097600 X 129600 = 79991479292313600000 which
sum forming a divisor to the permutations of 24
gives for quotient 7756.4, then because the permu
tation of all the letters is the sum sought, and this
quotient is but for one too of an inch .7756.4, must be
multiplied by 24= 186153.6, the true number of times
of the above permutation to cover the whole surface
of this globe if written within the prescribed limits.
The surprise then at the number of languages all
produced out of the twenty -four letters, must give
way to rational demonstration , which this table so
amply supplies, as well as the number of different
faces, daily seen (no two of which are exactly alike :)
because if the tout ensemble of the human physiognomy
* As demonstrated by the same Author in his Mathematical
Synopsis, which shews all the properties and relative proportions
that subsist between spheres, circlesand cubes of any dimension .
 7

consisting of feature, colour, age, animation, size, & c.

amount to thirty identities, which may fairly be ad
mitted, the sum of the varieties that might be made
upon that number would be so enormous, as shewn
by the table, that no assignable time could ever be
expected to produce one, that should be an absolute
fac simile of another. For the same reason , the 68
tones and semitones of a piano -forte can be so varied,
as to produce such a diversity of tunes that can
never be exhausted. And the wonderful phenomena
of the KALEIDOSCOPE which have so astonished and
amused the public, may also herein be resolved, and
the variety of its appearances be both ascertained and
accounted for, by taking the permutation of its num
ber of objects, and multiplying by the averaged
number of sides to each object. Thus, supposing
them all to be hexahedra ; multiply by six and that
product will be the permutation sought. But when
an attempt is made to scan the permutation of FIFTY
NUMBERS ( the maximum product of this table ), the
human mind is stunned and confounded at the im
mensity of the sum ! Nor can the most highly wrought
metaphor of human ingenuity convey to the under
standing any comprehensible figure equally stupen
dous ! A sum to which the astonishing permutation
of twenty -four bears not a million millionth part so
great a proportion as unity does to it !!!
It is in vain to be eloquent upon this subject, for
the orator's tongue itself, with all its witching blan
dishments of art, is paralized in the attempt, and
description baffled to appreciate, (at least, in terms
familiar to reason ) this sublime object. And even
the glowing fancy of the most enthusiastic poet, who
 8

soars with ease the giddy heights of Parnassus or

Olympus' loftier top, cannot scale this mountain of
figures. For such is the omnipotence of numbers, whose
prerogative alone it is to demonstrative their own
problems, that the summation sought, can only be
conceived by abstract reasoning upon the power of
numbers ! Cease, then cease, ye Auent sorceries of
the tongue, so long used to inflame the human heart
by impassioned declamation , nor blush to own that
the dazzling corruscations of the god of speech are
for once transcended by Minerva's steadier light !
For numbers only, numbers can explore !!!
A faint idea of this enormous sum may however
be conceived, by those who are acquainted with the
omnipotence of figures, by supposing that if a thou
sand millions of inhabitants ( equal to the present
population) had existed on the face of the earth
from the creation till now, viz. 5823 years, and each
person had spoken on an average 10,000 words of
7 letters each, per day, yet all the letters of this
combined phalanx, so far from reaching the sum
sought, would not form even its cube root! And if
the united aid were called in of all the letters, forming
all the words which ever could have been written
either for epistolary or mercantile correspondence,
supposing writing to have been coeval with the cre
ation, together with all the books of every edition,
nation and tongue under heaven, these mighty aux
iliaries would be but impotent in their endeavours to
reach it, because they could hardly be expected to
vie with the sum of the letters in the supposed words
above spoken, and if they could , it would but double
the sum , which would then stand thus . 1000.000000
 9

X 5823 X 10.000 X 365X7 = 148777650000000000000

X2 = 297555300000000000000, a mighty sum indeed
in itself ; and without proof positive, would stagger
human credulity, but not yet a cube root ; and when
set in competition with such a colossal antagonist as
the permutations of fifty, the MAXIMUM ofthe TABLE
30414093201713378043612608166064-7
768844377641568960512000000000000
dwindles into a most consummate dwarf !!!
That the most sceptical, as well as those unac
quainted with figures, may be satisfied of the reality
of this astonishing power of numbers, as exemplified
in permutation, the whole table is exhibited from the
lowest digit to the great product itself, with the
manner in which each succeeding sum is generated
by its precursor ; and indeed were it not shewn in this
form , no one permutation of any magnitude could
be elucidated without wading quite through this
unique pyramid of 3325 figures, and calculating all
the way till the querent arrived at the permutation
sought; for perhaps there is not a touch-stone of
its truth in the whole world but itself. However,
the author has not slighted the work from the safety
with which he might have done it ; but so far from
taking advantage of this security, that it might be
depended on , he has calculated nearly 80,000 figures,
principally to prove it, which has been done no less
than six times. The public, therefore, may now con
fidently rely on its intire correctness. However, these
latter sums are more to evince the poner of numbers,
than of any real utility ; but those of a moderate
extent are often required , and the Appendix will
shew they are quite practicable and harmonious.
 10

APPENDIX ,
In which will be found some New and very curious
Observations on the nature of the Ratio of the In
creasing Sums, in every regular Permutation, with
the causes thereof ; which prove that these increments
must either be NINES, or some Multiple, or Power
thereof.

To what has been said already, respecting the power

of numbers in permutation, as exemplified in the
former pages , it may not be amiss briefly to discuss
some interesting data, upon which the ratio of these
astonishing powers depend ; as well as to exonerate
so pure a science as the mathematics from the slight
est imputation of deception, or even ambiguity, by
persons unacquainted with its principles : and to
shew how each gradus is obtained in making a per
'mutation of following numbers.
In the course of the work itself, it has been de
monstrated how every successive sum was obtained
out of the product of its immediate precursor ; and
as none of these permutations are effected promis
cuously, or by chance, caprice, or deception , they
admit of rational explanation ; by which every one
may see that there is no legerdemain , ambiguity, or
 11

imposition on human credulity in the operation - for

this science is proverbially emulous for inviting its
votaries to inquiry, discussion, and demonstration !
Then as numbers are the best commentators of
themselves, the nature of the increase, if a regularly
ascending sum, or decrease, if a descending sum, to
gether with the value of each gradus, will be much
more satisfactorily perceived by their own proper
digits, or figures, than by any other symbols what
ever ; because their powers demonstrate the doctrine,
ratio, and data at once, without reference to any
thing else, as the increase proves the doctrine, and the
quantity of it, the ratio — from which this datum is
inferred . That whenever two figures reciprocally
change places, it invariably is the case, that upon
subtracting the lesser sum from the greater, that nine,
or some power, or multiple thereof, is the result. But
any other number of figures will produce the same
effect, and whether following numbers or not, provided
that all of them be permuted ; for which there ap
pears two reasons, one growing out of the other.
First, that there are but nine digits, or units, therefore
any digit going into the tens place by permutation ,
becomes as many tens as that digit indicated units
before, which is the second reason, consequently its
worth increases by as many nines, as it was the symbol
of units before. However strange this doctrine may
appear to persons unacquainted with the nature of
numbers, yet a little examination of the thing will
make it self -evident that it cannot be otherwise. For
although a digit or number increases tenfold , by one
removal toward the left hand, yet as it loses its units
 12

value, it increases in reality only by as many NINES,

as the said digit represented units before : thus one,
when it becomes ten by having a cypher added, has
gained but nine, and two becomes twenty by the same
rule ; yet the two has only acquired two nines, or 1

eighteen more, which is a multiple of nine of the lowest

order. The same law governs any other number,
compound as well as simple. Thus 98 loses nine by
inversion into 89, and as naturally regains it by re
assumption of its former order ; and 234 gains by
inversion 198, or twenty -two nines, producing 432.
But to make the matter plainer, it may not be amiss
to demonstrate that the increase by nine operates,
without inversion , only by putting any figure, or
number of figures, one place to the left. So 25 be
comes 250 by one removal to the left hand, or ten
times as many as before, but does not gain twenty
five tens but twenty -five nines, or 225, because it re
linquishes its former power in obtaining the latter.
And 225 + 25 = 250, which was to be demonstrated.
But perhaps an example in a tabular form will
elucidate this matter better than either assertion or
argument. For instance, if the progressive permu
tation of four, were required , in a more scientific and
convincing way than has been shewn by the four first
letters of the alphabet, as exhibited in page 4 , it may
be done by this artificial arrangement:

!!
 13

Progressive Permutation of Four Numbers constantly

and gradually increasing at the lowest rate until the
Numbers are completely inverted in the last sum , the
increments of which are constantly resolvable into
Nine, or some Multiple or Poner thereof, without a
Remainder.

Progressive increase of each succeeding Sum in the

Permutations of Four, which prove that Nine, or
Order of the some Power or Multiple thereof, must constantly
obtain and recur .
Numbers .
Incre.
of No. Number of Nines, or Multiples, or Powers thereof.
1 2 3 4 0 = 0 Nines
1 2 4 3 91 = 1 Nine
1 3 2 4 81 = 9 Nines the Square of 9 or 9X9
1 3 4 2 18 = 2 Nines the Binary of 9 or 9 + 9
1 4 2 3 81 = 9 Nines the Square of 9 or 9X9
1 4 3 2 9 = 1 Nine
2 1 3 4 | 702 78 Nines the Cube of .... 949X3
2 1 4 3 9 = 1 Nine
2 3 1 4 171 = 19 Nines the Square of.. .9X2 +.9
2 3 4 1 27 = 3 Nines the Square of ........9_3
2 4 1 3 72 = 8 Nines the Square of ... .9-9
2 4 3 1 18 = 2 Nines the Binary of 9 or 9 + 9
3 1 2 4 693 = 77 Nines the Cube of .... 9-9X4
3 1 4 2 18 = 2 Nines the Binary of 9 or 9+ 9
3 2 14 72 = 8 Nines the Square of ........949
3 2 4 1 27 = 3 Nines the Square of ........9-3
3 4 1 2 171 = 19 Nines the Square of 9X2 +9
3 4 2 1 9 = 1 Nine
4 1 2 3 702 = 78 Nines the Cube of ....9—9X3
4 1 3 2 9 = 1 Nine
4 2 1 3 81 = 9 Nines the Square of 9 or 9X9
4 2 3 1 18 = 2 Nines the Binary of 9 or 9 + 9
4 3 1 2 81 = 9 Nines the Square of 9 or 9X9
4 3 2 1 9 = 1 Nine

Total Increase. 13087 –343 Nines = 3087. Which sum

is also the remainder, after subtracting the

 14

first or least sum from the last or greatest, which

proves that the operation is correct. Or if several
of the above sums were taken at once, the nines
would still result to the same amount as when taken
in detail. Thus, if the eleventh sum, 2413, were sub
tracted from the fourteenth, 3142, it would amount
to the same as if the intercepted sums had been taken
separately, and produce a remainder of 729, the cube
of 9, or 81 times nine as they do all together.
It would be too long an operation to exemplify
these changes by summation , yet it may not be amiss
to shew those of two and three. Thus, for two, the
statement would stand thus, 12 + 9 = 21 , that is, 12
plus 9 are equal to 21 , where these changes terminate ;
while those of three will assume the following shape,
123 + 9 = 132 +81 = 213 + 18 = 231 + 81 = 312 + 9 =
321 , in all of which the sum added is nine, or some
power or multiple thereof ; and as many times as
ten is affected , so many nines will be elicited, and
this would be the case quite through the whole
affixed pyramid of figures.
Once more, to bring the matter down to the lowest
Permutation

capacity, these two little permutations may be de

monstrated , by simple addition , thus :
b,Three

123 Natural Order.

y
of

9 First power of Nine .

Addition

Permutation of Two by
.simple

132
Simple Addition . 81 Square of Nine.
12 213

9 First power of Nine . 18 Binary of Nine.

231
21 Sum Inverted.
9 the Sum restored by 81 Square of Nine.
312
12 Subtraction .
9 First power of Nine,
321 Sum Inverted .
 15

RATIONAL AMUSEMENT
RESULTING FROM THE LAWS OF PERMUTATION .

HAVING gone through the doctrine and calculations

of this curious branch of science , now by way of easy
practice, it may not be amiss to observe, that a con
siderable degree of entertainment might be afforded
in a party of friends, by one of the company, pro
posing the changes that can be effected in their
relative situations, which would also produce some
rational information. Then , without going to the
elaborate extent of permuting 13 numbers, which
has been shewn amounts to 6227020800 changes,
and would take up 11847 years, but to make the
matter both interesting and satisfactory, suppose
five persons, sitting in a row , were each to take a
card, or ticket, having the following numbers 1 , 2,
3, 4, 5, and place the same in front of their respec
tive hats, coats, &c . so as to form the number 12,315 ;
then let the question be proposed, “ How long a
time will it take up before this company can com
pletely permute its situation , following the trans
posing gradus laid down in the permutations of four ,
that is, until the order is inverted into 54321 ? ”
A few trifling bets might be won and lost quite as
innocently and as rationally as at cards, or any other
domestic amusement : and the mode being by num
bers, must be more obvious and convincing than by
letters ; because, to make the permutation perfect,
they must proceed by the gradus, as shewn by the
changes of four, where every sum increases at the
lowest rate .

Very few in the party would be aware that such

a transposition, at a minute per change, would take
 16

up two hours. But yet, by looking at the table, it

must be self-evident, because the permutations of
that number are one hundred and twenty , the num
ber of minutes in two hours. Nevertheless, if done
adroitly, the changes might be effected in half
the time, or one hour, but then no more than two
should move at once, who, to save time, ought to
rise by simultaneous impulse, and change places, or
else they would produce confusion and delay. But
numbered books, would do quite as well, though not
be so diverting ; and the first series of the changes,
as seen below, will fully demonstrate that there must
be no less than one hundred and twenty changes.
Where also it will be seen that the first figure in
this series maintains its place no less than twenty - four
times, * and every other number in the same situation ,
i.e. the ten thousands place, must needs do the same.
Again, the second figure is stationary six times ; the
third twice ; while the fourth and fifth , being the
lowest or tens and units, reciprocate alternately.
1 2 3 4 5 1 3 2 4 5 1 4 2 3 5 1 5 2 3 4
1 2 3 5 4 1 3 2 5 4 1 4 2 5 3 1 5 2 4 3
1 2 4 3 5 1 3 4 2 5 1 4 3 2 5 1 5 3 2 4
1 2 4 5 3 1 3 4 5 2 1 4 3 5 2 1 5 3 4 2
1 2 5 3 4 1 3 5 2 4 1 4 5 2 3 1 5 4 2 3
1 2 5 4 3 1 3 5 4 2 14 5 3 2 1 5 4 3 2

It is worthy of notice, that every preceding sum

may be subtracted from the following ; uniformly
leaving for remainder either nine, or some power or
multiple thereof, which was to be demonstrated .
* See Note, p.5.

FINI S.

J. Robins & Sons, Printers, 57 , Tooley Street.