"The true mathematician is always a good deal of an artist, an architect, yes, a poet." -- (Alfred Pringsheim, 1850-1941)
Numbers have interesting historical backgrounds, and there are many interesting stories behind just about any counting number. Here are just a few very brief tidbits relating to numbers. (Some research will yield many interesting stories.)
5: A potentially suitable number to serve as a base for a counting system (five fingers), it is used for this purpose only in the language Saraveca (South America). It is the sum of 3 (considered masculine by the Greeks) and 2 (feminine), making it a number that expresses the union of male and female. Research will show that 5 has considerable religious significance, and that it was often considered to be a somewhat unusual, even rebellious number.
6 The first perfect number (6 = 1 + 2 + 3: See Assignment #57), 6 is generally associated with good things. The Bible tells of six days of creation. Since a cube is composed of 6 squares, it has often been considered to be the ideal form for any closed construction.
7. Definitely worthy of research, the number 7 has fascinated humankind throughout history. It has countless religious and mystic associations. It is a calendar number, associated with the number of days in a week and the number of days in a lunar month (28 = 4x7).
Why did Herkimer think it was OK to give a gun to a bear in Yellowstone Park?
Answer: Someone told him the Constitution gives citizens the right to arm bears.
Herky's friends:
MEL O. DEE...this guy could really carry a tune.
DALE E. PAPER...he always kept up on current events by reading the news.
ASSIGNMENT #59
Reading: Review Chapter 9, as necessary.
Exercises: Test 9B (handout in class).
