Mathematical Traits

Mathematical Traits
Traits are the mathematical properties of a number, such as even or odd, prime or composite. Traits can also be number facts or patterns:
 * 153 is the sum of: 1! + 2! + 3! + 4! + 5!
 * 313 is a twin prime with 311
 * 61 is an unhappy number

Find a Trait
Play around with numbers. Math doodle. Move numbers around on paper and see what happens. Add, subtract, multiply, divide. Try factorial. Try squaring. Try reversing the digits. Flip your paper upside-down. Pick two numbers and see what they have in common. And so on. You might discover a new trait!

For example, notice that continuously dividing numbers by 2 will demonstrate three different types of even numbers: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ÷ 2 = 3 (oddly-even). 14 ÷ 2 = 7 (evenly-odd). And 16 ÷ 2 = 8 ÷ 2 = 4 ÷ 2 = 2 (evenly-even).

Research a Trait
There are plenty of websites and books where you can research number traits. Some of my favorite:

http://www.coolnumbers.com/index.asp Learn about the “Universal Coolness Index” of your favorite numbers.

http://primes.utm.edu/ Find out more about what makes prime numbers so special.

http://mathworld.wolfram.com An extensive collection mathematics resources.

http://www.numbergossip.com A cool website for learning about the properties of numbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org The amazing free encyclopedia with a wealth of information about nearly everything. Check out the numbers and concepts in Beyond Infinity, including: parsecs, fractals, boiling water, tetractys, wedding anniversaries, the Padovan Sequence, 13, 61, 153, 313, and many more.

http://www.shyamsundergupta.com/ Interesting recreational reflections about an assortment of numbers.

http://home.ubalt.edu/ntsbarsh/zero/ZERO.HTM#rintro A comprehensive resource for all things related to zero.

http://mathforum.org A great resource for everything related to learning mathematics.

http://www.curiousmath.com A site with great math tips and tricks.

http://www.apennyearned.co.uk/bingo-terms.html British bingo slang terms and more.

http://www.mysticalnumbers.com The meanings of various numbers throughout various religions and myths.