Considering that the numbers are part of "The Valenzetti Equation", I decided to research each of the numbers, with the hope of finding connections each of the 6 fields that the Dharma Initiative was studying on the Island.

First, a little background information. As most of you know, the Dharma Initiative primarily studied 6 fields of science, they were:

• Electro-magnetism
• Psychology
• Parapsychology
• Meteorology
• Zoology
• Utopian Social- (could possibly be Utopian Social Engineering)

The Valenzetti Equation is an equation that expresses the date that the human race will extinguish itself, by any 1 of 6 given factors, these factors consisting of global warming, overpopulation, etc.
Although the equation was apparently very complex, it could be altered by simply altering the values that pertain to the factors of the equation.

Those of you who participate in The Lost Experience will know that the Dharma Initiative was sent to the Island in order to alter any of the 6 factors of the equation, with each factor being represented by a number. The numbers that represent the factors of the equation are 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

Now it is safe to assume that in order to alter the factors of the equation the Dharma Initiative studied six fields of science that were relevant to the factors. If this is the case, then each of The Numbers links directly to one of the fields of science that they study.

However, there is not much information about the connections around, hence why I decided to search for factual links between the numbers and the things that Dharma studied.

My research has generated the following results -

4

• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - It could be that this number simply declares that the number sequence does express the date of Armageddon, though it could also be that this number relates directly to Religion (or the lack of it), which could link to the Utopian Social- (perhaps it was an investigation of how to create a Utopia, removing religion being one of the ways to do so).
  
  
• DNA & RNA (genetics) - 4 is number of nucleobase types in DNA and RNA, comprising of adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine (uracil in RNA). This possible link to genetics could link to zoology, since the writing on the Blast Door Map states that the Dharma Initiative were investigating the impact of extreme climate change by carrying out genetic experiments on Polar bears -
  Quote:

  Originally Posted by Blast Door Map STATED GOAL REPATRATION ACCELEARATED DE-TERRITORIALIZATION OF URSUS MARITUS THROUGH GENE THERAPY AND EXTREME CLIMATE CHANGE

  (Keep in mind that the Latin name for Polar Bear is Ursus Maritus
  
  
  
• Physics - 4 dimensional universe - This one is even more far-fetched, but it is possible that some sort of dimension-theory was being studied by the Dharma Initiative, which may have involved the electro-magnetism (perhaps they believed that the geologically unique electro-magnetism could be used to transverse dimensions).

8

• Numerology - In numerology, 8 is the number of construction, & in some theories is also the number of destruction. Link to Armageddon/destruction of the human race again.
  
  
• The Dharma Logo - Perhaps the most obvious observation is that the Dharma Initiative logo is an octagon (8 sided shape).
  
  
• Tarot Cards - The 8th card, usually the "Strength" card, is associated with several things - Self control, Being solid, Patience, Compassion, Composure, Stability, Perseverance, Moderation, Kindness, Gentleness, Slowness, Softness, Serenity, Comprehension, Discipline, Inner strength - which all could be interpreted as aspects of Psychology. (Source - Wikipedia)
  
  
• The Dharmachakra - "The Wheel of Dharma", a Buddhist symbol that taught the path to Enlightenment. A clear connection to the Dharma Initiative, in both name and possibly overall goal.
  
  
• 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness - A Heuristic (remember that the "H" in "DHARMA INITIATIVE" stands for "Heuristics") model that states that there are 8 sections to the mind, each representing a stage of higher evolution.
  
  The first 4 concentrate on the survival of living organisms on Earth. Some of the stages also link to psychology, with the model describing the instinct of survival and the state of emotion.
  (Source - Wikipedia

Evidence of H standing for Heuristics -
)


15
Unfortunately, I found little information about 15 that was of any apparent significance.

• Blast Door Map - Co-ordinates that are on the map have the numbers 4, 8 and 15, and may give the location of the meterological station. What connection 15 bears however, remains unclear.

16

• Tarot Cards - The 16th Card is known as "The Tower", and is frequently associated with the following words - Chaos, Sudden change, Impact, Hard times, Crisis, Revelation, Disruption, Realizing the truth, Disillusion, Crash, Burst, Uncomfortable experience, Downfall, Ruin, Ego blow, Explosive transformation.
  As with the other link to Tarot Cards, this could also link with parapsychology, as well as a possible factor of the Valenzetti Equation - sudden change, chaoes, disillusion. ALternatively, it could be some kind of denotation of what will happen to cause humanity's downfall - a 'crisis', realisation of the truth, a sudden change, an explosive transformation - which would lead to humanity's 'downfall', 'ruin'.
  
  
• 1916 - In this year there were numerous battles, most notably The Battle of the Somme, in which over 1 million soldiers were killed. This means that 16 could relate to another possible factor of the Valenzetti equation - war, or world war.

23

• Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 217 & AirIndia Flight 182 - 2005 December 23 - Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 217 from Baku, Azerbaijan to Aktau, Kazakhstan crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 23 people.
  
  AirIndia Flight 182 (Toronto to New Delhi) - was bombed in mid-air on June 23, 1985 killing all 329 people on board
  
  (Not necessarily a link to any Dharma Projects but it's certainly a rather spooky coincidence).
  
  
• Numerology - Considered to be a "Sacred Number" (along with the number 5) of Eris, the goddess of discord. Also, According to the Principia Discordia, it is "the number of the Illuminati." This
  
  
• "The 23 Curse" - Numerous people have claimed to have seen or to see the number 23 everywhere (the 23 curse) prior to enormous success and fruitfulness.
  This could possibly be a form of parapsychology; perhaps some sort of subconcious ability to perceive the future through the noticing of the number 23.

42

• Critical Angle - 42° is the critical angle of refraction by water. It is the angle between rainbow and the antisolar point. This relation to light could somehow link to the study of electro-magnetism, since light is part of the electro-magentic spectrum.
  
  
• Nostradamus - 42 is the amount of Quatraines that remain in Nostradamus's 7th Century. This link to Nostradamus - an infamous prophet - could link in with parapsychology.
  
  
• Japanese -
  Quote:

  Originally Posted by Wikipedia In Japanese, 4 (shi) and 2 (ni) are together pronounced like "going to death" (死に). Because of that, in Japan, 42 is considered as a disastrous number.

• The Meaning of Life - Well that would be a cop-out now wouldn't it.
  
  
• Link 4 - Worth a mention for the irony, since there are 42 holes in a Link-4 gameboard. Hurley played against Leonard Sims while he was in the mental institute. Hurley's imaginary friend Dave stated that Leonard was using "his" numbers against Hurley.

As you can see, there are probable links between the numbers and the factors of the Valenzetti Equation/the subjects of the Dharma Initiative's primary studies. This explains how the numbers came to be involved.

However, why they seem to have effects of bad fortune and other mysterious properties remains a mystery, and those mysterious properties can at this point only be attributed to the fact that they somehow express the date upon which humanity will destroy itself.