Would it not be easyer to just go with a query like this?
took out all the database parts and tested it locally, prints a table just fine. so the problem is probably that your not finding anything in the database.
You can select COUNT(*) or use mysql_num_rows() to find out how many matches you got. COUNT(*) is faster if there are alot of them
btw, the query where you use $_POST[number] as a argument. Your saying to mysql that your looking for something similar, but not specifying any wildcard ( the % sign).