1. An aqueous solution for use in performing algebraic operations, comprising: a plurality of types of oligomers comprising a plurality of first subunit sequences and a plurality of second subunit sequences; wherein each oligomer comprises first and second serially connected subunit sequences, and is a nucleic acid or an analog of a nucleic acid; and wherein the first subunit sequences hybridize to nucleic acid molecules produced by a reference cell, and the second subunit sequences are configured so that they do not hybridize to nucleic acid molecules produced by said cell.