Something's wrong with the problem or else I am interpreting it wrong. 1. Suppose the 2-digit number were very large, say 99, the largest 2-digit number. then if you added a 2 on each end, you'd have 2992, but the product of the digits would be only 2*9*9*2 = 324, but 2222 times the original number 99 is 219978, much larger than 324. 2. Suppose the 2-digit number were very small, say 11, a small 2-digit number. Then if you added a 2 on each end, you'd have 2112, but the product of the digits would be only 2*1*1*2 = 4, but 2222 times the original number 11 is 24442, much larger than 4. With this interpretation, there can be no solution. If I am interpreting it incorrectly, then you may tell me the correct way to interpret it in the thank-you note form below and I'll get back to you by email. Edwin