Process described here: https://x.com/waitbutwhy/status/1887311869964083612

check_6174.py

def number_difference(num):
    # Convert number to string and pad with zeros if needed
    num_str = str(num).zfill(4)
    
    # Convert to list of digits and sort
    digits = list(num_str)
    
    # Create ascending and descending numbers
    ascending = int(''.join(sorted(digits)))
    descending = int(''.join(sorted(digits, reverse=True)))
    
    # Return difference
    return descending - ascending

# Loop through all 4 digit numbers
for num in range(1000, 10000):
    difference = number_difference(num)
    if difference == num:
        print(f"Found number: {num}")
        # Let's also show the calculation for verification
        num_str = str(num).zfill(4)
        ascending = int(''.join(sorted(list(num_str))))
        descending = int(''.join(sorted(list(num_str), reverse=True)))
        print(f"  {descending} - {ascending} = {difference}")