Project B11 - Perfect Numbers

Many cultures have entertained the notion that numbers have beautiful, if not mystical, properties. Today, the theory of numbers stills holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many people. Among mathematicians, number theory is highly regarded for its aesthetic appeal and its ability to ask remarkably difficult questions without recourse to complicated definitions and terminology. In recent years, number theory made headlines in newspapers around the world after Andrew Wiles proved Fermat's Last Theorem.

In this project, you will study a class of numbers referred to as perfect numbers. While you work you should keep the following objectives in mind.

• Objective 1: Enjoy and be challenged by mathematics.
• Objective 2: Become proficient in factoring numbers and using the theorems and results that we've studied.
• Objective 3: Read and write mathematics effectively.
• Objective 4: Gain experience in using the internet as a research tool.

The following rules and guidelines apply to this project:

• You may collaborate with your classmates, but each student must turn in her or his individual (and unique) solution set.
• Show all work on separate sheets of notebook paper. Be neat and orderly, and clearly indicate to which page your work corresponds. As a general rule of thumb: If you think it, show it!
• Be sure that all explanations are given in complete, grammatically correct sentences. Explanations must appear in the boxes provided.
• Print the appropriate pages upon completion. You must submit these pages along with your work. Be sure that your name appears on the first page.
• Follow the link below to begin with Page 1 of the project.

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6

Download project to work offline

Steve Kifowit Prairie State College Chicago Heights, IL 60411