Does the Prime Factorial Conjecture Hold True for All Primes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Prime Factorial Conjecture, specifically whether the expression \([P! + P]/P^2\) yields an integer if and only if \(P\) is a prime number. Participants explore various mathematical properties and implications related to this conjecture, including factorials, modular arithmetic, and sequences of prime numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a conjecture that \([P! + P]/P^2\) is an integer if and only if \(P\) is a prime number.
  • Another participant asserts that the conjecture is true, referencing Wilson's Theorem and its implications for \((P-1)!\) modulo \(P\) when \(P\) is prime.
  • A different participant presents a sequence of products of prime numbers and their digit sums, suggesting a pattern that results in single integers of either 3 or 6.
  • Further mathematical expressions are introduced, questioning whether similar forms involving higher powers of \(P\) also yield integers when \(P\) is 1 or prime.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the conjecture, with some supporting it based on established theorems while others introduce additional expressions that complicate the discussion. No consensus is reached regarding the conjecture's truth or the implications of the additional expressions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various mathematical assumptions and dependencies on definitions, particularly regarding the properties of factorials and prime numbers. Some expressions remain unresolved in terms of their implications for the conjecture.

PFanalog57
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Here is a tentative conjecture that needs to be tested.

[P! + P]/P^2 = INTEGER

if and only if P is a prime number

P! is P factorial, e.g. 3*2*1 , 5*4*3*2*1 , 7*6*5*4*3*2*1, etc...
 
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This is true. P!+P = P((P-1)!+1). By Wilson's Theorem, which has been discussed, "Proof of Wilson's Theorem," under Number Theory, we have (P-1)! ==(-1) Modulo p if an only if p is prime. Thus the conjecture is correct.
 
Multiply the prime numbers in their correct sequence:

3*2 = 6 , 6 = 6

5*3*2 = 30 , 3+0 = 3

7*5*3*2 = 210 , 2+1+0 = 3

11*7*5*3*2 = 2310 , 2+3+1+0 = 6

13*11*7*5*3*2 = 30030 , 3+3 = 6

17*13*11*7*5*3*2 = 510510 , 5+1+0+5+1+0 = 12 , 1+2 = 3

etc...

etc...


23 ---> 6

29 ---> 3

31 ---> 3

37 ---> 3

41 ---> 6


Multiply the sequence of prime numbers then sum the digits[omit 1] of
the product until it is a single integer. It appears to be 3 or 6.
 
[P!+P]/P^2


[P! +P^2 +P]/P^2 = integers >=1 when P is 1 or prime?



[P!+P^3+P^2+P]/P^2 = integers >=1 when P is 1 or prime?



[P! + P^4 + P^3 + P^2 +P]/P^2 = integers >=1 when P is 1 or prime?



[P! + P^n + P^(n-1) + ...+ P]/P^2 = integers >=1 when P is 1 or prime?
 

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