1. 39The Moreton Hall Directory
Why did David Beckham choose to play in the number 23 shirt when he
moved to Real Madrid in 2003 ?
Up to then he’d been playing in the number 7 shirt both for England and Manchester United.
Perhaps it was because Raúl the Spaniard was already playing in the number 7 shirt.
Perhaps it was because Real Madrid wanted to break into the lucrative American market to
sell lots of replica shirts and choose 23 as this was the number that Michal Jordan – the most
popular basket player in the world used.
Perhaps Beckham’s love of Star Wars inspired him to choose 23 as Princess Lea was imprisoned
in Detention Block AA23 in the first Star Wars film.
However I believe that it is none of these but that 23 is the most fantastic Prime Number.
In fact at the time of Beckham’s move to Real Madrid all of the key players were in Prime Number
shirts – Carlos number 3 – Zidane number 5 – Raúl number 7 and
Ronaldo number 11 . Prime numbers are the key to their success.
Prime numbers are truly magical and mathematicians love them.
They are the building blocks of all other numbers; just about all of
maths is made out of prime numbers. In the same way scientists
love atoms because just about everything is made out of atoms.
A prime number is a number that can only be divided by itself or
by 1 – it has just 2 factors. All other numbers can be broken down
into an unique product of prime numbers with the exception of 1
which is a law unto itself.
But what is the use of a Prime Number ?
They can break down complicated divisions and fractions into
easier sums – got to be a good thing.
They are used in codes – some of the toughest codes in the world
are made using mega prime numbers.
They are used in computer software.
They are used in encryption of data – to keep information secure –
such as online payment through credit and debit cards.
How magic is that?
Being confident with numbers, having fun with them
and being able to use them is a real life skill that
everyone can have access to.
At the Community Maths School we love helping
everyone to make numbers their friend.
home & lifestyle
The Holidays are Here!
Have Fun with Maths Magic and Prime Numbers
Claire Meadows-Smith
Head of Maths, St Albans RC High School, Ipswich
and Founder of The Community Maths School
Practise lots, be confident and have fun!
Why did David Beckham choose to play in the number 23 shirt when he moved to Real Madrid in
2003 ? Up to then he’d been playing in the number 7 shirt both for England and Manchester United.
Perhaps it was because Raúl the Spaniard was already playing in the number 7 shirt. Perhaps it was
because Real Madrid wanted to break into the lucrative American market to sell lots of replica
shirts and choose 23 as this was the number that Michal Jordan – the most popular basket player in
the world used. Perhaps Beckham’s love of Star Wars inspired him to choose 23 as Princess Lea was
imprisoned in Detention Block AA23 in the first Star Wars film.
However I believe that it is none of these but that 23 is the most fantastic Prime Number.
In fact at the time of Beckham’s move to Real Madrid all of the key players were in Prime Number
shirts – Carlos number 3 – Zidane number 5 – Raúl number 7 and Ronaldo number 11 . Prime
numbers are the key to their success.
Prime numbers are truly magical and mathematicians love them. They are the building blocks of all
other numbers; just about all of maths is made out of prime numbers. In the same way scientists love
atoms because just about everything is made out of atoms.
A prime number is a number that can only be divided by itself or by
1 – it has just 2 factors. All other numbers can be broken down into
an unique product of prime numbers with the exception of 1 which is
a law unto itself.
But what is the use of a Prime Number ?
They can break down complicated divisions and fractions into easier
sums – got to be a good thing.
They are used in codes – some of the toughest codes in the world
are made using mega prime numbers.
They are used in computer software.
They are used in encryption of data – to keep information secure –
such as online payment through credit and debit cards.
How magic is that?
Being confident with numbers, having fun with them and being able
to use them is a real life skill that everyone can have access to. At
the Community Maths School we love helping everyone to make
numbers their friend
Practise lots, be confident and have fun.
Claire Meadows-Smith Head of Maths, St Albans RC High School
Ipswich and Founder of The Community Maths School
The Holidays are Here! Have Fun with Maths Magic and Prime Numbers
The Community
Maths School
BURY ST EDMUNDS
www.communitymathsschool.co.uk
Claire Meadows-Smith
07747 037 441
High Quality maths tuition at KS3,
KS4 and A Level at affordable prices
Frightened of Maths?
confidence boosting & enjoyable
sessions in small groups
BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCEBOOST YOUR CONFIDENCEBOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE
FREE to ATTEND
OPEN DAY
10am to 12 noon
Sat 14th September
weekly term-time classes
for best long-term results