The number '42' (base ten) is equal to '101010' in base two - just an alternating pattern of ones and zeros. Also, as pointed out earlier, 42 (base 13) is equal to 54 (base 10).
Our planet Earth is 42 orders of magnitude (based on powers of ten) larger than the Planck Length (the smallest length that humans have been able to measure - Planck Length is 1 x 10^-35m.).
Consequently, the angle at which light reflects off water and creates rainbows is 42 degrees.
In Chess the maximum number of queens that you can place on the board and still have one "safe" square is 42. e.g.:
e q q q q q q e
e q q q q q e q
e q q q q e q q
e q q q e q q q
e q q e q q q q
e q e q q q q q
e e q q q q q q
s e e e e e e e
q = queen
e = empty
s = safe
To help the males understand this better: A Playtex Wonderbra is made from 42 individual parts; hence, the answer to the Universe.
