The Case of the Missing 3
Ever feel like the universe is lowkey gaslighting you? That was the vibe for John Gorrill, who tried to buy some sticky vinyl numbers for his wheelie bin and found a major plot twist: the shops had every number from 0 to 9, except for 3. This led to a very important, very urgent internet debate: is the number 3 actually the most common digit for UK street addresses?
The Internet Responds
Naturally, the commentariat showed up to give their two cents. Some pointed to the logistics of supply chains, suggesting stores just suck at stock management or underestimated the demand for 3s. Others went full nerd mode with data analysis. One reader pulled official address data from Inverness, Newport, and Exeter, crunching over 218,000 digits. The results? 1 and 2 are still the main characters, with 3 trailing behind. So, despite the sticker shortage, 3 is definitely not taking the crown.
The Math Behind the Madness
Several readers brought up Benford’s Law—a statistical concept where 1s appear way more often than other digits—but noted it doesn't strictly apply to house numbering since streets are generally too short. One creative reader suggested a DIY fix for the shortage: just buy an 8 and a pair of scissors. Honestly? That's giving big brain energy.
Why it matters
While the search for number 3 stickers might feel like a minor annoyance, it highlights how quickly a simple observation can turn into a collective deep dive. Whether it's a supply chain fail or just a statistical fluke, sometimes the most random questions lead to the best internet rabbit holes. Also, shoutout to the person suggesting you just buy two 1s and start using binary for your house number—say less.
