Randomness of Prime Numbers submitted by: Jeff LeMieux, August 2004 This narrative describes how I use my javascript tool, cataloged in the Math Tools digital library, in the classroom. Course: Math 7 Topic: Prime Numbers, random numbers Resource type: JavaScript Resource location: http://www2.whidbey.net/ohmsmath/webwork/javascript/primesplot.html Math Forum catalogue entry: http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/12885 Story:  One of the interesting features about prime numbers is that they do not follow any discernable pattern. This fact can be used to demonstrate the meaning of random numbers. Random implies no pattern also. If a pattern is random, then no amount of manipulation is going to make it line up. This script is a demonstration of that distribution. The student enters a number and all of the prime numbers are indicated by a dark bar; all the non-prime are reresented by a white or transparent bar. The results are printed in a window which can be stretched or shrunk to see if an alignment can be made. Where and how I used this: I use this to show both the distribution of prime numbers and the idea of random distribution. It is usually included in the relevent lesson plans so students can try it on their own. Send comments to Jeff LeMieux at tackweed@whidbey.net Jeff LeMieux August 2004 http://www2.whidbey.net/ohmsmath