# I'm not a brilliant mathematician

I'm not great at mathematics. Mental arithmetic I can do, but not algebra or calculus or anything like that... Anyway, here's a little puzzle I came up with in my spare time.

• I got where I am today due to more than 314 factors.
• I like to think I'm in my prime;
• in fact, I'm a prime example to many.
• I've got 20 digits, in all.
• My behaviour is generally natural...
• though sometimes I act a little irrationally. (Who doesn't?)
• The sum of my properties is in the millions;
• my primary product does have a high value.
• (Most of the time.)
• My function is complex, oft hated, but necessary.
• I mislike bubbles.

What am I?

### Hint 1:

My properties aren't mine.

I got where I am today due to more than $$3^{14}$$ factors.

$$3^{14}$$ is slightly less than the population of Ireland.

I like to think I'm in my prime;

Mr Varadkar is the current Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. He is also Ireland's youngest Taoiseach (so literally in his prime)

in fact, I'm a prime example to many.

He is the first openly gay head of government for Ireland and was vocal during the same-sex marriage referendum in the country.

I've got 20 digits, in all.

Ten fingers and ten toes

My behaviour is generally natural...

He behaves generally as a politician should

though sometimes I act a little irrationally. (Who doesn't?)

Not everyone will completely agree with the decisions he makes as leader.

The sum of my properties is in the millions;

I think this refers to personal and professional residences which, if Steward's Lodge is counted, would certainly have a total value in the millions.

my primary product does have a high value.

Ireland's primary export is pharamaceuticals which generally have a high value

(Most of the time.)

Obviously, the value of particular products can depend on demand and quality.

My function is complex, oft hated, but necessary.

The head of state is often disliked and the role is a complex one to navigate but necessary in a democratic republic.

I mislike bubbles.

The burst of the Irish property bubble was a major contributor to the economic crisis in Ireland. Mr. Varadkar has also spoken about the dangers of a land bubble in Ireland.

• You're closer than I thought would be possible; many of the answers to the clues are completely correct! But this isn't the answer I was thinking of. (Hint: what do most of your answers have in common, other than those that directly pertain to the function of your answer?) Dec 21 '18 at 19:20
• There's a hint now. Dec 21 '18 at 22:14

Are you:

Pi?

Reason:

Pi is irrational, and therefore contains all natural numbers, prime numbers, etc due to its infinite length.
"I've got 20 digits, in all" I took to again mean that all numbers are in it, kinda reversing the statement...
These clues could point to any irrational number, but the $$3^{14}$$ clue links to Pi's approximation of 3.14 and if you have bubbles in your pie you've either used the wrong ingredients or forgotten to prick/blind bake your pastry... :P

• No, this isn't it. Your interpretations of both bullet points 2 and 4 are "reversed", and I don't see how this fits bullet points 6, 9, 11 or 12. Dec 21 '18 at 13:13