Games and Number Theory explores the process of mathematizing a structure or context that does not initially seem particularly mathematical. Participants are introduced to (or reminded of) terminology and properties of modular arithmetic (aka clock arithmetic), then use games and tricks to discover and highlight some important mathematical concepts. The module highlights the connections between modular arithmetic and the standard "long division" algorithm, the analysis of which opens up some new mathematical territory for participants. For example, through the dissection of a card trick, they discover important facts about remainders resulting from integer division and by developing the notion of reciprocals (mod n) they learn to solve linear congruences.

For further information, contact CwM at cwm@edc.org
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