2. Vasya multiplied one four and 27 nines, while Petya multiplied 55 threes. Whose number turned out to be larger? Justify your answer.
Answer. Vasya's number is larger.

Solution. Since two threes in the product give 9, the product of 55 of Petya's threes is the same as the product of one three and 27 nines. Since the product of a three and 27 nines is less than the product of a four and 27 nines, Petya's number is smaller.