LOS ANGELES - Mathematicians at UCLA have discovered a 13 million-digit prime number, a long-sought milestone that makes them eligible for a $100,000 prize
The group found the 46th known Mersenne prime last month on a network of 75 computers running Windows XP. The number was verified by a different computer system running a different algorithm.
"We're delighted," said UCLA's Edson Smith, the leader of the effort. "Now we're looking for the next one, despite the odds."
Mersenne primes — named for their discoverer, 17th century French mathematician Marin Mersenne — are expressed as 2P-1, or two to the power of "P" minus one. P is itself a prime number. For the new prime, P is 43,112,609.Me: Isn't this exciting and so mind boggling! I may not be able to post for a while. I'll be looking for the next prime number! I may need another computer. I wonder if the beast upstairs could help.
I just noticed I have a lot of breaking news for you girls. I'm just here to keep you informed!
Just sign me, The Math Nerd.
2 comments:
I'll be excited if you discover the next one...you do have a fancy new computer : )
You are pathetic.Lovable, but pathetic.
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