Today, for a change, there is an online game with a mathematical background that is as entertaining as it is challenging – after all, we are on the science pages here. On https://masasgames.com/primes you will find a square grid of three by three cells. In some of the fields there are tiles and numbers on them.
Prime numbers are highlighted in light blue, while non-prime, i.e. composite numbers, are highlighted in red. Here's how the game works: You have to use the mouse to move prime number tiles either vertically or horizontally onto another tile of your choice, but compound numbers cannot be moved, adding the origin and target numbers. If you have moved a tile, tiles that do not contain prime numbers after addition are split into multiple tiles. The aim of the whole thing is to achieve the highest possible prime numbers in this way by cleverly moving, without running out of displacement space. Sounds complicated? Yes, but it's quite easy to grasp if you just get started.
A little tip: When moving the tiles, you don't necessarily have to move them to another number. It is also allowed to occupy an empty space in order to have a better starting position for the next turn. By the way: This prime number game is a further development of the famous 2048 game, to which there are several direct links on Wikipedia in addition to information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/2048_(computer game). Enjoy!
Now our question: What is the name of a graphical representation method for prime numbers that a Polish mathematician came across 60 years ago? Please send your proposed solution to netzraetsel@faz.de.
The deadline for entries is April 19, 2023, 21 p.m. We are giving away an eBook voucher worth 25 euros. The winner will be notified in writing. The solution to last week's riddle was "Cloth Museum".