There are no such two-digit numbers Suppose that: tu > 10t + u tu - u > 10t u(t - 1) > 10t The tens digit is never 0. Case 1: When the tens digit is 1, the number is 10×1 + u or 10+u and the product of digits is 1×u or u, and u is always less than 10 + u So there are no two-digit numbers beginning with 1 whose product of digits is greater than the number. Case 2: When the tens digit is 2 or more then t-1 is positive and we can divide the inequality u(t - 1) > 10t by t-1 and this inequality will hold: 10t u > ————— t-1 Subtract then add 10 to the numerator: 10t-10+10 u > ——————————— t-1 Factor 10 out of the first two terms on top: 10(t-1)+10 u > ——————————— t-1 Break into two fractions: 10(t-1) 10 u > ——————— + ————— t-1 t-1 Cancel the t-1's in the first fraction: 10 u > 10 + ————— t-1 That is clearly false since the right side is greater than 10 and no units digit can be greater than 9. This proves that no 2 digit numbers exist such that the product of the digits is greater than the actual number. Edwin