B Number Theory Image: Hooks for Elementary Courses

AI Thread Summary
Effective hooks for an elementary number theory course can include visually engaging images like graphs showing the distribution of prime numbers or twin primes. Incorporating themes of encryption can also captivate students, with resources like the 3blue1brown YouTube series providing appealing visual representations of complex numbers and the Riemann function. Additionally, exploring the relationship between spirals and prime numbers can serve as an intriguing visual aid. These strategies aim to enhance student motivation and interest in number theory. Utilizing these images can make the subject more relatable and exciting for learners.
matqkks
Messages
280
Reaction score
5
Are there any good images that can be used as a hook for an elementary number theory course?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
matqkks said:
Are there any good images that can be used as a hook for an elementary number theory course?
Are you concerned that number theory itself ain't sexy enough?
 
It is sexy enough but I am looking for something which will have an impact and motivate students.
 
Number theory is basically the theory of primes, so you could use their distribution graph, or that of twins, or just print out a large prime.

Another idea is something around encryption.
 
  • Like
Likes sysprog
You might find some ideas on the 3blue1brown youtube series. He does some beautiful representations of numbers on the complex plane including the Riemann function and other cool stuff.

There was one on spirals and the apparent connection to prime numbers.

 
  • Like
Likes sysprog
Thread 'Video on imaginary numbers and some queries'

Thread 'Video on imaginary numbers and some queries'

Hi, I was watching the following video. I found some points confusing. Could you please help me to understand the gaps? Thanks, in advance! Question 1: Around 4:22, the video says the following. So for those mathematicians, negative numbers didn't exist. You could subtract, that is find the difference between two positive quantities, but you couldn't have a negative answer or negative coefficients. Mathematicians were so averse to negative numbers that there was no single quadratic...
View full post »

Thread 'What Exactly is Dirac’s Delta Function? - Insight'

Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
View full post »
Thread 'Unit Circle Double Angle Derivations'

Thread 'Unit Circle Double Angle Derivations'

Here I made a terrible mistake of assuming this to be an equilateral triangle and set 2sinx=1 => x=pi/6. Although this did derive the double angle formulas it also led into a terrible mess trying to find all the combinations of sides. I must have been tired and just assumed 6x=180 and 2sinx=1. By that time, I was so mindset that I nearly scolded a person for even saying 90-x. I wonder if this is a case of biased observation that seeks to dis credit me like Jesus of Nazareth since in reality...
View full post »

Similar threads

MHB Number Theory Images for Elementary Course
Replies
1
Views
1K
I What should I say about elementary number theory?
Replies
2
Views
1K
MHB What should I say about elementary number theory?
Replies
3
Views
2K
I What to include in an introduction on number theory?
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Why certain topics in elementary number theory?
Replies
5
Views
1K
MHB Why certain topics in elementary number theory?
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB What to include in an introduction?
Replies
2
Views
2K
I How to introduce quadratic residues?
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Is there a resource which is good questions on quadratic
Replies
2
Views
1K
B The mathematics of transforming images in Adobe Premiere - Part 1
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top