Hans-Peter Stricker

Software developer in data visualization
Berlin, Germany

My interest is the visualization of data, processes and structures - both real and abstract - with the two-fold aim of making them better understandable and revealing their inherent beauty.

Patterns in multiplication graphs
Patterns in multiplication graphs
60 x 120 cm
Print on paper
2019

Even in the supposedly well-understood and seemingly boring realm of multiplication unexpected and beautiful patterns can be found.

Multiplication graphs are created by drawing lines from a number x to k·x (mod n) with numbers arranged on a circle.

When the numbers k and n are coprime then the function k·x (mod n) acts as a permutation and gives rise to permutation cycles which can be highlighted by color and line width: the shorter the cycle the wider the line.

Graphs are arranged in a table (left) and as a sequence (right).

Inside each graph and inside the larger structures emerging patterns can be seen and asked for explanation.