Number Eight
Introduction
The number eight is a positive integer that follows the number seven and precedes the number nine. It is an even number and a composite number, having four divisors: 1, 2, 4, and 8. The number eight is associated with balance, harmony, and cosmic order in various cultures and fields of study. This article will explore the mathematical properties, cultural significance, and various applications of the number eight.
Mathematical Properties
In the realm of mathematics, the number eight holds several unique properties. It is a composite number, its positive divisors being 1, 2, 4, and 8. Eight is also a cubic number, as 2 x 2 x 2 equals eight. It is the only cube that is also a Fibonacci number apart from one. In binary code, eight is represented as 1000, making it the first cube in the binary system[^1^].
Eight is a power of two, specifically 2^3 (2 cubed). This property makes it significant in computer science, where bits and bytes are often grouped in sets of eight. The term "octet" is used to refer to such a group[^2^].
In geometry, an octagon is a polygon that has eight sides. The sum of the internal angles of any simple (non-self-intersecting) octagon is 1080°[^3^]. An octahedron is a polyhedron with eight faces; it is one of the five platonic solids[^4^].
Cultural Significance
The number eight has a rich cultural significance across different societies. In Chinese culture, eight is considered the luckiest number because it sounds similar to the word meaning to generate wealth (發 fā). Properties with the number 8 are often valued higher, and the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics started at 8:08:08 pm on 8/8/2008[^5^].
In Indian culture, the number eight is associated with the god Vishnu, who is said to have eight arms in his most powerful form[^6^]. The ancient Greeks associated the number eight with balance and harmony, as it is the number of the balance and of the cosmic order, according to Pythagoras[^7^].
In Christianity, eight is a symbol of new beginnings, as there were eight people on Noah's Ark[^8^]. Similarly, in Jewish tradition, the brit milah (circumcision ceremony) is held on a baby boy's eighth day of life[^9^].
Applications
In various fields, the number eight has practical applications. In music, an octave consists of eight notes. In the standard diatonic scale, there are eight notes[^10^].
In computer science, an octet is a unit of digital information consisting of eight bits[^11^]. This is the standard unit used in protocols on the internet and other networks.
In sports, many team sports involve teams of eight players, such as rowing, where an eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain[^12^].
In the field of transportation, most V8 engines, a common configuration for an internal combustion engine, have eight cylinders[^13^]. Additionally, the figure eight is often used in motor sports and ice-skating as a test of skill[^14^].
See Also
References
[^1^]: Weisstein, Eric W. "Eight." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Eight.html [^2^]: "Octet (computing)." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet_(computing) [^3^]: Weisstein, Eric W. "Octagon." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Octagon.html [^4^]: Weisstein, Eric W. "Octahedron." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Octahedron.html [^5^]: "Why '8' is considered a lucky number in China." South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/2093973/why-8-considered-lucky-number-china [^6^]: "Vishnu." Ancient History Encyclopedia. https://www.ancient.eu/Vishnu/ [^7^]: "Pythagoras." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pythagoras/ [^8^]: "Biblical Numerology." Bible Study. https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/8.html [^9^]: "Brit milah." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_milah [^10^]: "Octave." Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/octave-music [^11^]: "Octet (computing)." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet_(computing) [^12^]: "Eight (rowing)." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_(rowing) [^13^]: "V8 engine." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V8_engine [^14^]: "Figure-eight racing." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure-eight_racing