| | A '''prime number''' is a [[natural number]] greater than 1 which is [[divisible]] by only 1 and itself. A prime number has only two [[factor]]s: 1 and itself. The first few prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 .... The number 2 is the only even prime. | | A '''prime number''' is a [[natural number]] greater than 1 which is [[divisible]] by only 1 and itself. A prime number has only two [[factor]]s: 1 and itself. The first few prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 .... The number 2 is the only even prime. |
| − | 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: every even number greater than 2 is the sum of two primes ([[Goldbach's conjecture]]), and there are apparently [[infinity|infinitely]] many [[twin primes]]. It is unknown whether there are infinitely many [[Mersenne prime]]s. | + | 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: every even number greater than 2 is the sum of two primes ([[Goldbach's conjecture]]), and there are apparently [[infinity|infinitely]] many [[twin primes]]. There may be infinitely many [[Mersenne prime]]s. |
| | 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]]. | | 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]]. |