MHE511 Topics in Mathematics for Teachers: Number Theory

This course focuses on number theory content which is relevant to the school mathematics curriculum. Number theory is taught via a problem solving approach with connections to geometry, logic and probability. Explorations with and conjecturing about number patterns provide experiences from which students study various topics including: factors, primes, and prime factorization; counting techniques; greatest common factor (GCF) and least common multiple (LCM); divisibility; number patterns (e.g., Pascal's triangle, polygonal numbers, Pythagorean triples; Fibonacci numbers); Diophantine equations; remainder classes and modular arithmetic, iteration, recursion, and mathematical induction. Prerequisites: MHE450 or equivalent; or consent of program advisor. 3 semester hours