Sheldon's Obsession With The Number 73 Explained

what does sheldon

In the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons, is often seen wearing a t-shirt with the number 73 on it. This is a reference to the actor's birth year, 1973, and the fact that the episode in which Sheldon first expresses his love for the number, The Alien Parasite Hypothesis, is the 73rd episode of the show.

Characteristics Values
TV Show The Big Bang Theory
Character Sheldon Cooper
Episode The Alien Parasite Hypothesis
Episode Number 73rd episode
Actor Jim Parsons
Actor's Birth Year 1973
Number Properties 21st prime number; 37 is its mirror, the 12th prime number; 37's mirror, 21, is the product of 7x3; 73 is a palindrome in binary

shunvogue

The number 73 is Sheldon's favourite number

The number 73 is Sheldon Cooper's favourite number in The Big Bang Theory. He first expresses his love for it in "The Alien Parasite Hypothesis", the 73rd episode of the show. In this episode, Sheldon explains why 73 is so special:

> "The best number is 73. Why? 73 is the 21st prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the 12th and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying 7 and 3."

He also points out that in binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is also 1-0-0-1-0-0-1.

There is also a connection between the number and Jim Parsons, the actor who plays Sheldon in the show. Parsons was born in 1973, and the t-shirt first appeared in season 4, episode 10 of The Big Bang Theory, which was Parsons' 73rd episode on the show.

Sheldon's love for the number 73 is not just limited to the t-shirt. In one episode, he describes 73 as the "Chuck Norris of numbers", and in another, he says that his perfect room temperature is 72, with 73 being the "best number".

shunvogue

73 is the 21st prime number

In the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Sheldon Cooper has a favourite number—73. Sheldon's love for the number is first expressed in the show's 73rd episode, "The Alien Parasite Hypothesis", which is also the name of the episode in which the character who plays Sheldon, Jim Parsons, was born (1973). In this episode, Sheldon explains why 73 is so important:

> "The best number is 73…. 73 is the twenty-first prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the twelfth and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying (hang on to your hats) 7 and 3…. In binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is 1-0-0-1-0-0-1."

Sheldon goes on to explain that 37, the "mirror" of 73, is the 12th prime number, and that its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying 7 and 3. In other words, 73 is unique because it has properties that other numerals don't have.

The number 73 is also a palindrome in binary code, reading 1001001 both forwards and backwards. This is referenced by Sheldon in the show, who says: "Chuck Norris wishes. In binary, 73 is a palindrome, 1001001, which backwards is 1001001. All Chuck Norris backwards gets you is Sirron Kcuhc!"

shunvogue

Its mirror, 37, is the 12th prime number

In the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Sheldon Cooper has a favourite number: 73. He expresses his love for it in the show's 73rd episode, "The Alien Parasite Hypothesis", which is also the episode where he first wears a t-shirt with the number on it.

Sheldon explains that 73 is the 21st prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the 12th prime number, and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying 7 and 3. In binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is also 1-0-0-1-0-0-1.

The number 73 is significant for another reason: it is the year that Jim Parsons, the actor who plays Sheldon, was born (19)73. This is likely why the writers chose this number to be Sheldon's favourite.

The t-shirt has become iconic, and fans of the show can buy their own Sheldon-approved "73" shirt.

shunvogue

73 is a palindrome in binary

In the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Sheldon Cooper has a favourite number—73. Sheldon's love for the number is first expressed in the episode "The Alien Parasite Hypothesis". The character is seen wearing a T-shirt with the number 73 on it. Sheldon explains his affinity for the number in this episode, which is also the 73rd episode of the show.

Sheldon explains that 73 is the 21st prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the 12th prime number, and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying 7 and 3. This property, according to Sheldon, makes 73 special. He also points out that in binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is also 1-0-0-1-0-0-1.

The number 73 is also significant because it is the year that Jim Parsons, the actor who portrays Sheldon, was born—1973. This connection between the actor's birth year and the episode number is likely why the writers chose 73 as Sheldon's favourite number.

The T-shirt with the number 73 has become a popular piece of merchandise for fans of The Big Bang Theory, allowing them to embrace their inner "nerd" and celebrate the unique properties of the number 73, including the fact that it is a palindrome in binary.

shunvogue

The t-shirt references Jim Parsons' birth year, 1973

The number 73 is referenced in The Big Bang Theory when Dr. Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons, wears a T-shirt with the number on it. The T-shirt is a reference to Jim Parsons' birth year, 1973. In Season 4, Episode 10 ("The Alien Parasite Hypothesis"), Sheldon explains why 73 is his favourite number. He says:

> "The best number is 73…. 73 is the twenty-first prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the twelfth and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying (hang on to your hats) 7 and 3…. In binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is 1-0-0-1-0-0-1."

The episode in which Sheldon explains his love for the number is also the 73rd episode of The Big Bang Theory.

The number 73 is also referenced in ham radio operator lingo, where it is used to signify "best wishes" at the end of a conversation.

Frequently asked questions

In Season 4, Episode 10 ("The Alien Parasite Hypothesis") of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) explains why 73 is the best number: "73 is the 21st prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the 12th and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying (hang on to your hats) 7 and 3…. In binary, 73 is a palindrome: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1, which backwards is 1-0-0-1-0-0-1."

The number 73 is a reference to the birth year of Jim Parsons (1973).

The episode in which Sheldon explains his love for the number 73 is the 73rd episode of The Big Bang Theory. Additionally, 73 is used by ham radio operators to signify "best wishes" at the end of a conversation.

The mirror of 73, 37, is the 12th prime number, and when you multiply 7 x 3, you get 21.

Yes, Sheldon wears a T-shirt with the number 73 on it in Season 4, Episode 14 ("The Thespian Catalyst").

Written by
  • Byeon
  • Byeon
    Author Editor Reviewer
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment