A significant milestone in the life of our young granddaughter – turning 10. Double digits. Almost a teenager – perhaps could be called a “ten-ager”? (from Wikipedia: “Ten is the base of the decimal system, by far the most common system of numbers in both spoken and written language. We assume that ten is the […]
This (almost) mathematically puzzling picture shows an ordinary cow with two ear tags. Of course, you might be drawn to the number 7354 itself and be trying to work out its factors (you were trying to do that weren’t you?). Yes, there are two tags and the number 2 is one of the prime factors […]
“Salamanders, given a choice between tubes containing two fruitflies or three, lunge at the tube of three1. This hints that the ability to differentiate between small numbers of objects may have evolved much earlier than scientists had thought. Primates can spot the greater of two quantities smaller than four, without any training. Babies choose the […]
Melissa Browne is an accountant, adviser, author and shoe addict. She finds great comfort in numbers. Melissa says, “I believe there is great comfort in numbers. Let me explain with some examples: A young couple want to buy a home or apartment and want to save for a deposit, but don’t know how much they […]
It is not known who created this magic square, but it is shown in Durer’s famous 1514 engraving, known as Melancholia. What is quite remarkable about this square is that: 1. All the rows, columns and the two diagonals add up to the same number, just like ordinary magic squares. In this case the number […]
as seen by SpikedMath: (Which just goes to show that there is meaning in all numbers)
This installation of 99 animals drinking at a pool is part of the exhibition in Brisbane by Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. There are 99 animals – an important number in Chinese culture. “No. 9 in Chinese culture means longevity and eternality. Thus, there were 9,999 rooms within the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is […]
Click on the Fibonacci tag below for more information on this great math subject.
OK. Here is a sign at a bus stop in Singapore. Can you work out the different types of numbers – any primes; any squared numbers, odds and evens, etc.? It still amazes H3 how many students use numbers like these each day, but never actually study them. The mental gymnastics of number analysis is […]
Yes, it is quite remarkable how much we rely upon even the simplest math. Here, in the middle of an ocean passage, is a reminder that we are governed every day by numbers. In this case, the speed limit for boats is set at 6 km per hour: Task: Use your phone camera to record […]
