Biology Forums - Study Force

Science-Related Homework Help Mathematics Topic started by: peoplemover on Oct 5, 2022



Title: How do I find the base used?
Post by: peoplemover on Oct 5, 2022
https://youtu.be/YVvfY_lFUZ8 (https://youtu.be/YVvfY_lFUZ8) This video discusses how mathematicians are using a counting system that is not base-10 to investigate ways to find prime numbers. Identify what base is being used and briefly explain how it is "easier" to tell if a number is prime in that base counting system.
I am very lost on what base he is using in this video. I know he uses base 3 later on but I thought it was base 10, however the question seems to negate that... Thanks.


Title: Re: How do I find the base used?
Post by: bio_man on Oct 5, 2022
At the five minute mark, they use a base 3.

It's easier to use base three because it consists of only {0,1,2} as digits to represent all numbers. They found other than the prime number 3 (103), all prime numbers written in base-3 end in 1 or 2 (with the exception pointed out).

I didn't watch beyond that mark. Hopefully they don't expand on it. :P


Title: Re: How do I find the base used?
Post by: peoplemover on Oct 5, 2022
Thank you. They don't seem to use any other bases.