Using Spreadsheets to Enhance Understanding of Number Theory

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dc.creatorToussaint, Mario
dc.creatorPloger, Don
dc.date.accessioned2020-02-05T16:57:45Z
dc.date.available2020-02-05T16:57:45Z
dc.date.issued2019-04
dc.description.abstractComputer spreadsheets can help elementary school students explore concepts in number theory. We describe a spreadsheet program that can generate all the factors of an integer. To understand how the spreadsheet solves these problems, we use the metaphor of a robot. The robot must interpret data from the real world and respond effectively. Although non-engineers may not understand the details, they can see what the robot types, and can discuss how the robot makes decisions. Students can see mathematical knowledge being used. The robot can add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and determine whether a number is an integer. Based upon this knowledge, the robot can determine the factors of a number. In one method, the robot follows the rules blindly, testing each possible factor. In the second method, the robot uses knowledge of number theory to solve the problem much more efficiently. The activities are extended to include the topic of prime numbers. In the first method, the robot determines that 97 is prime by performing all possible divisions starting with 1. Although the answer is correct, the method is inefficient. It is much more effective to apply knowledge of number theory to determine that only the prime numbers less than ten need to be tested. As a result, only four divisions, rather than 97, are needed to determine the correct answer. With the power of spreadsheets, students can observe different methods that get the correct answer, and discover those that are most efficient.en_US
dc.description.departmentCockrell School of Engineeringen_US
dc.identifier.citationToussaint, M., & Ploger, D. (2019, April), Using Spreadsheets to Enhance Understanding of Number Theory Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Meeting, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, Austin, TX 78705. https://peer.asee.org/31591en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/79924
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26153/tsw/6950
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherAmerican Society for Engineering Educationen_US
dc.relation.ispartofASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Meeting 2018 Papersen_US
dc.rights.restrictionOpenen_US
dc.subjectASEEen_US
dc.subjectAmerican Society for Engineering Educationen_US
dc.subjectThe University of Texas at Austinen_US
dc.titleUsing Spreadsheets to Enhance Understanding of Number Theoryen_US
dc.typeConference paperen_US

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ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Meeting 2018 Papers