Prime Numbers in Linen
When we take an unsuspecting look at the red, blue or yellow napkin with
the pattern of numerous small squares, the design seems to have been created
at random. Most squares are concentrated around the heart of the napkin,
fewer squares occur towards the edges. However, this is not just a free
pattern, the position of the squares is decided by prime numbers. You
can ask your dinner guests whether they can discover where prime numbers
3, 17, 173 or 1013 can be found on the napkin. Every square represents
a prime number and every prime number appears on the napkin eight times.
17 = 4 x 4 + 1 x 1
The mathematician Balthasar van der Pol designed this seemingly abstract
napkin in the 1950s based on Gaussian primes. He positioned the prime
numbers in the design based on the squares of two numbers that together
add up as the prime. For example, prime number 17 is the sum of 4 x 4
and 1 x 1. Or prime number 173 is the sum of 13 x 13 and 2 x 2. The prime
numbers are positioned along the x and y axes numbered from 1 to 39 starting
at the centre of the napkin. The square representing prime number 17 appears
where the imaginary lines of 4 and 1 cross. The square representing prime
number 173 appears on number 13 and 2 of the axes. In the 1950s, this
design was appreciated very much, which was reason for the best Dutch
linen weaver Van Dissel in Eindhoven to start producing this napkin. At
the time it was sold to clients all over the world. Even the famous scientist
Einstein received one and sent a thank you note to the manufacturer. Thanks
to Sanny de Zoete this special napkin is now available on the market again.
order now