Activity Overview
What is the probability that two randomly selected integers (whole numbers) are co-prime? This is a really simple algorithm to write, the result however is very surprising! Divide 6 by the proportion, then take the square-root, what number remains?
Objectives
The purpose of this activity is to help students become more independent programs and see the surprising link between co-prime numbers and PI, that transcendental number that just keeps popping up everywhere.
Vocabulary
| Mathematics |
Coding |
- Square-root
- Proportion
- Co-Prime
- GCD or HCF
|
- For / EndFor
- If / Then
- RandInt
- Counter
|
About the Lesson
In this activity students use the GCD (Greatest Common Divisor or Highest Common Factor), Randint (Random Integer) a LOOP and IF THEN statement to write a simple program. There is less scaffolding in this activity, students are required to write their own program! The proportion of randomly selected integers that are co-prime has a very interesting result, believe it or not, it is related to PI.