220/Historical Note

Historical Note on $220$

The numbers $220$ and $284$, being the smallest amicable pair, were traditionally used in conjunction with overtures of friendship.

The number $220$ appears in the Bible as the number of goats that Jacob gave to Esau on the event of their reunion.

It suggests that they may have been known about considerably earlier than the time of Pythagoras of Samos.


Sources

  • 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $220$
  • 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $220$
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