You need to know these three facts: i2 = -1 (-1)EVEN = +1 (-1)ODD = -1 ------------------------------------- Your example: i42 = i2*21 = (i2)21 = (-1)21 = -1 ------------------------------------ Some other examples: i96 = i2*48 = (i2)48 = (-1)48 = +1 = 1 i73 = i72+1 = i72i1 = i2*36i = (i2)36i = (-1)36i = 1i = i i47 = i46+1 = i46i1 = i2*23i = (12)23i = (-1)23i = (-1)i = -i Edwin