142857
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The number 142857 has the curious property that, if it is multiplied by any number from 1 to 6, the result is a number with the same digits in the same order (a cyclic permutation).
For example, 142857 × 3 = 428571.
This property is closely related to the facts that
- 1/7 = 142857/999999
and that 1/7 expressed as a decimal is
- 0.142857142857142857142857142857...
Investigating the number 142857 can lead a student into an understanding of repeating decimals and rational numbers.