Mathematicians Unlock Prime Number Secrets

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In summary, a pair of mathematicians have made a breakthrough in understanding prime numbers, which are numbers that can only be divided by themselves and one. This advance has been described by other mathematicians as the most important in the field in decades. Although the article from the BBC does not fully explain the discovery or its significance, it does provide a link to a more detailed explanation on a mathematical website. This website discusses the recent work of D. Goldston and C. Yildirim on small gaps between consecutive primes.
  • #1
Chagur
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"A pair of mathematicians has made a breakthrough in
understanding so-called prime numbers, numbers that
can only be divided by themselves and one."

"Other mathematicians have described the advance as
the most important in the field in decades."

For the full BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2911945.stm
 
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  • #2
Not a very good article, it does a terrible job at explaining what they actually found and why it's important.
 
  • #3
Admittedly, but prior to finding the article I wasn't
aware that anything had been accomplished re. prime
numbers. After all, it is a BBC article ... Not an
article in a mathematical journal.
 
  • #4
Originally posted by climbhi
Not a very good article, it does a terrible job at explaining what they actually found and why it's important.

Take a look at the right of the article under "internet links". It diverts you to more esoteric sites.
 
  • #5
Well I guess that I shouldn't criticize to much, at least they did do an article on it, that's better then most news organizations would do so... maybe they are all right after all.
 
  • #6
So, like knock yourself out with:

Small gaps between consecutive primes
Recent work of D. Goldston and C. Yildirim


at: http://aimath.org/goldston_tech/
 
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  • #7
Geez, they did a terrible job in that article, it was way to complex for anyone to understand, they should have dumbed it down a little more. Just kidding. Thanks for the article, that one did a much better job at describing what they did.
 

1. What are prime numbers?

Prime numbers are positive integers that are only divisible by 1 and themselves. Examples include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and so on.

2. Why are prime numbers important?

Prime numbers are important in various fields of mathematics and science, including cryptography, number theory, and computer science. They also have real-life applications in areas such as banking, security, and communication.

3. How do mathematicians discover new prime numbers?

Mathematicians use various techniques and algorithms to identify and verify new prime numbers. These may include sieving methods, primality tests, and advanced mathematical theories.

4. What is the significance of unlocking prime number secrets?

Unlocking prime number secrets can lead to a better understanding of the fundamental properties of numbers and their relationships. It can also have practical applications in fields such as cryptography and data encryption.

5. How do mathematicians collaborate in discovering prime number secrets?

Mathematicians often collaborate through conferences, research papers, and online forums to discuss and share their findings and techniques for discovering and studying prime numbers. They also work together on open problems and challenges in the field.

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