Multiplying the instances desk enjoyable with different quantity bases | Arithmetic

Louise Lewis asks whether or not methods of computing the 9 instances desk would work in different quantity bases (Letters, 7 June). With different bases you get the identical quirky outcomes, however for various multipliers. For base 7 it will be the six instances desk, for base 6 the 5 instances and many others. Instead of the digits within the multiples including as much as 9 as they do for multiples of 9 in base 10, they may now add as much as six and 5 respectively. That the multiplier is one lower than the bottom is the clue which explains why these novelties happen. Such enjoyable.
Ian Harley
Fair Oak, Hampshire

Your obituary for Anthony Head (7 June) failed to say certainly one of his most iconic roles, that of the evil Mr Gently Benevolent in BBC Radio 4’s Bleak Expectations. His gentle, sardonic chortle – “Hur hur hur” – won’t ever be forgotten by true Head anoraks.
Paul Thompson
Perth

Further to the “Is this train going to Speke?” joke (Letters, 9 June), there’s a comparable one in these components – “Is this bus going to Jump?” – a few village close to Barnsley.
Sally Goldsmith
Sheffield

Vegemite was first produced in 1922, Marmite in 1902. Can Kathy Lette clarify how the latter is an “imitation” of the previous (The hill I’ll die on: Marmite is an insipid English imitation. Vegemite is the true Aussie hero, 9 June)?
Richard Worrall
Maidenhead, Berkshire

Never thoughts the deserves of Vegemite over Marmite; as a proud twin nationwide, I preserve that the Swiss model, Cenovis, leaves all different yeast extracts standing!
Nicole Lipczynski
Sutton, London