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What is a palindrome?

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Quick Answer

A palindrome is a word, phrase or number that reads the same backwards as forwards.

The Full Story

Simple examples include level, radar, racecar and the number 12321. Longer phrases ignore spaces and punctuation, such as β€œA man, a plan, a canal: Panama”. The word comes from the Greek palin (again) and dromos (way or direction). The ancient Sator Square, a Latin word square found in the ruins of Pompeii, reads the same in multiple directions. Palindromes also appear in biology: many DNA sequences read the same on both strands in opposite directions, which helps enzymes recognise and cut them.

Key Facts

1.From Greek palin and dromos
2.Examples include radar and racecar
3.Palindromic DNA sequences exist

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"Words that work both ways β€” the art of the palindrome"