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| | A '''prime number''' is a [[natural number]] greater than 1 which is [[divisible]] by only 1 and itself. Described another way, a prime number has only two [[factor]]s, 1 and itself. The first few prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 .... | | A '''prime number''' is a [[natural number]] greater than 1 which is [[divisible]] by only 1 and itself. Described another way, a prime number has only two [[factor]]s, 1 and itself. The first few prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 .... |
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| − | As the foundation of all numbers, prime numbers have a [[spiritual]] quality that have 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 ever odd 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 have 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]]. |
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| | + | 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]]. |
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| | [[Leonhard Euler]] wrote: <blockquote> | | [[Leonhard Euler]] wrote: <blockquote> |
| | ''Mathematicians have tried in vain to this day to discover some order in the sequence of prime numbers, and we have reason to believe that it is a mystery into which the mind will never penetrate.'' | | ''Mathematicians have tried in vain to this day to discover some order in the sequence of prime numbers, and we have reason to believe that it is a mystery into which the mind will never penetrate.'' |
| | </blockquote> | | </blockquote> |
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| − | 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}}.
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| | There are infinitely many primes, while the only [[even]] prime number is 2. The [[Bible]] includes many references, direct and indirect, to prime numbers. | | There are infinitely many primes, while the only [[even]] prime number is 2. The [[Bible]] includes many references, direct and indirect, to prime numbers. |