If you’re ever needing to choose a number and you want a little help to make sure that you’re doing it absolutely randomly, here’s the page for you: the Random Number Generator.

It’s simple—you enter the range of numbers you want to choose between (say, between 1 and 45) and the computer gives you the number.

This is the electronic equivalent of drawing a number from a hat (and a lot less work).

Posted by Amy as Math, General at 9:42 AM EDT

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I like to work with numbers in an accounting setting, but advanced mathematics (or even intermediate mathematics) is beyond me.

However, it interests me enough that I like to highlight sites that feature it. This is certainly the case with MathPuzzle–it’s a website for diehard math fans.

Here are some excerpts:

• “Triangler is a massive collaborative geometric outdoor mobile interactive game. Two teams of 100 players play a two-hour match in a city or rural area. The object of the game is to enclose enemy players with 2000-meter equilateral triangles formed by you and your team buddies.”
• a sketch of “the best known 30-degree snake that fits in a diameter 4 circle.”
• largest twin primes: “2003663613*2^195000-1 is prime! 2003663613*2^195000+1 is prime!”

If they’re speaking your language, check out the site.

Via Weblog V2.

Posted by Amy as Math at 1:26 AM EST

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If you like math, especially prime numbers, and if you like computer games where you destroy aliens or other images, you’ll probably like Prime Shooter.

The premise of the game is simple: a number is on the screen, and you reduce it by shooting it with the prime factors. You’ve won when the number is divided down to 1.

These games always are a little too aggressive for me, but there’s no question that it’s an innovative way to get people thinking about math and therefore boosts numeracy, which can only be a good thing.

Posted by Amy as Math at 1:46 AM EST

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If you’re a fan of math and numbers, check out What’s Special About This Number?

There are bits of information about almost every number from 0-9999. Some of the information is something anyone can understand (e.g. 292 is the number of ways to make change for a dollar) while others are way above my head (e.g. 294 is the number of planar 2-connected graphs with 7 vertices). They’re all interesting to read, though.

Here are some sample facts:

• 1089 is one ninth of its reverse.
• 344 is the number of different arrangements of 4 non-attacking queens on a 4×8 chessboard.
• 2 is the only even prime.
• 18 is the only number that is twice the sum of its digits.
• 137 is the smallest prime with 3 distinct digits that remains prime if one of its digits is removed.

There are some numbers that so far have no special information attached to them (e.g. 295, 380). If you know of a fact unique to these numbers, the site owner would like to know.

Posted by Amy as Math at 4:52 AM EST

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M.C. Escher is well known for his artwork that features experiments with perspective.

Here’s a webpage that looks at the mathematical aspects of his work: The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher.

The creator of the site says, “For me it remains an open question whether [this work] pertains to the realm of mathematics or to that of art.”

Although the page tackles such matters as tessellations and polyhedra—topics that weren’t part of high school algebra when I studied it—non-math people can follow the explanations easily.

It’s a good page for those who are interested in either Escher or mathematics.

Via Plep.

Posted by Amy as Arts & Culture, Math at 5:22 AM EST

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I was taught about cube roots some time in high school, and I haven’t thought about them since.

But some people love math and love thinking about numbers. If you’re one of these people, you’ll probably enjoy this page: How To Do Cube Roots of 9 Digit Numbers In Your Head.

If you are willing to do a little bit of memorisation (plus exert yourself to do some math), you will apparently soon be able to tell me–without resorting to a calculator–that the cube root of 283593393 is 657.

Good luck with it! Mental arithmetic at this level just makes me tired, so I’ll content myself with applauding anyone else’s efforts.

Via dangerousmeta!

Posted by Amy as Math at 5:04 AM EST

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Even though I’m not hugely interested in math, I enjoy hearing things about numbers and mathematical problems if they don’t make my brain hurt.

If you’re like me, here’s a web page to check out: What’s Special About This Number?

It lists the numbers from 0 to 500 and gives interesting facts about each number.

For example, about the number 4:

“Pick any whole number… If the number is even, divide it by 2; if it is odd, multiply it by 3, then add 1. By repeating this procedure, sooner or later you’ll arrive at the number 4, which will give you 2, which in turn gives you 1, and then get a 4 again! No matter what number you choose, you’ll always arrive at the 4-2-1 cycle.”

Not all of the information is strictly math-based facts, either. For example, the site says “During any police lineup the suspects wear nos. 2 through 9 because it is considered too suggestive to make anyone display the no. 1!”

There are also links to puzzles, tricks, optical illusions, and much more information on numbers.

Via Rebecca’s Pocket.

Posted by Amy as Math at 4:50 AM EDT

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Yutaka Nishiyama writes, “The number 6174 is a really mysterious number. At first glance, it might not seem so obvious. But as we are about to see, anyone who can subtract can uncover the mystery that makes 6174 so special.”

The article in +plus magazine goes on to show all the details. It’s written plainly so that those of us who are not mathematicians (like me) can still follow it.

To find out the interesting thing about 6174, read the complete article here.

Via Cliff Pickover’s RealityCarnival.

Posted by Amy as Math at 4:12 AM EST

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