3 + 9, x (7+12) Divided by Eleventy-one... oh dear

[davem]

Originally Posted by TGWBS

But the significance would probably have a source in the Primary World, wouldn't it? Would Tolkien just pick a few numbers at random to be favoured in his world? I'd argue that he would have been influenced subconsciously, at the least, by the Primary world, and particularly from the two main influences of LotR - Religion and Myth.

Quite possibly, but if we have to seek the 'meaning' outside the secondary world it means Tolkien has failed to produce a secondary reality that can stand on its own two feet & needs support from outside.