| | As the building-block for all numbers, prime numbers have a [[spiritual]] quality that has fascinated [[mathematicians]] and others. Prime numbers are a great way to learn and teach [[math]], to improve mental acuity and focus, to fend off [[addiction]], and to understand great works such as the [[Bible]]. The two greatest unsolved mysteries in [[mathematics]] relate to prime numbers: whether every even number is the sum of two primes ([[Goldbach's conjecture]]). and whether there are [[infinity|infinitely]] many [[twin primes]]. | | As the building-block for all numbers, prime numbers have a [[spiritual]] quality that has fascinated [[mathematicians]] and others. Prime numbers are a great way to learn and teach [[math]], to improve mental acuity and focus, to fend off [[addiction]], and to understand great works such as the [[Bible]]. The two greatest unsolved mysteries in [[mathematics]] relate to prime numbers: whether every even number is the sum of two primes ([[Goldbach's conjecture]]). and whether there are [[infinity|infinitely]] many [[twin primes]]. |
| − | The [[multiplication of the loaves]] -- the only [[miracle]] described in all four [[Gospels]], and more than once in some Gospels, which suggests it happened more than once -- was always done with a prime number of loaves and fish (5 loaves and 2 fish, totaling 7, for the incidents described in {{bibleref|Mark|6|31-44}}, {{bibleref|Matthew|14|19}}, {{bibleref|Luke|9|13}}, and {{bibleref|John|6|9}}). When another such incident is described later in the [[Gospel of Matthew]], the multiplication occurs with another prime number-worth of loaves: 7. ''See'' {{bibleref|Matthew|15|34}}. Many [[biblical parables]] are tantalizing similar to prime numbers, such as [[The Parable of the Weeds]]. | + | The [[multiplication of the loaves]] -- the only [[miracle]] described in all four [[Gospels]], and more than once in some Gospels, which suggests it happened more than once -- was always done with a prime number of loaves and fish (5 loaves and 2 fish, totaling 7, for the incidents described in {{bibleref|Mark|6|31-44}}, {{bibleref|Matthew|14|19}}, {{bibleref|Luke|9|13}}, and {{bibleref|John|6|9}}). When another such incident is described later in the [[Gospel of Matthew]], the multiplication occurs with another prime number-worth of loaves: 7. ''See'' {{bibleref|Matthew|15|34}}. Many [[biblical parables]] are tantalizing similar to prime numbers, such as [[The Parable of the Weeds]]. Acts 17:17, twice prime, is the midpoint of the [[New Testament]]. |
| | In nature, multiple species of [[cicada]]s (locusts) reappear every 13 or 17 years -- both prime numbers -- and a full [[Moon]] on [[Christmas]] happens every 19 years, also a prime number. Humans have 23 pairs of [[chromosomes]], a prime number. | | In nature, multiple species of [[cicada]]s (locusts) reappear every 13 or 17 years -- both prime numbers -- and a full [[Moon]] on [[Christmas]] happens every 19 years, also a prime number. Humans have 23 pairs of [[chromosomes]], a prime number. |