Is There a Proven Method for Finding Prime Numbers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for finding prime numbers, exploring various mathematical approaches and conjectures related to prime generation and partition numbers. Participants share equations, ideas, and challenges regarding the validity of their claims and methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a relationship between the n-th partition number into non-empty sets and the (n-1)-th prime, but another participant disputes this claim.
  • There is a proposed equation for calculating the ways to express a number n, which involves the number of different prime factors (nodpf) and seeks to exclude primes in a specific range.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the terminology used in the proposed equations, specifically regarding the exclusion of primes.
  • Participants discuss the validity and clarity of the proposed methods, with some expressing that certain parts of the explanations are unclear or nonsensical.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the validity of the proposed methods for finding primes, with multiple competing views and unresolved questions about the clarity and correctness of the mathematical expressions presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the definitions and assumptions underlying the proposed equations are not fully articulated, leading to confusion and challenges in understanding the claims made.

Sariaht
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It was really close, perhaps the ways you can wright n on is >= the n-1:th prime. But how could i ever prove it?
 
Last edited:
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7=3+2+2 It's rather a shame really
 
Strange...
 
Last edited:
You're claiming the n'th partition number into non-empty sets is the n-1st prime? That'd be nice, but it isn't true. p_n is, however, the coefficient of x^n in

[tex]\prod_{k \geq 1} \frac{1}{1-x^k}[/tex]
 
No need to get embarassed, Sariaht!
I thought it was a really cool idea which just happened to be wrong.
 
Perhaps if you...

Lets say the n'th partition number into non-empty sets is >= the n-1st prime!

That the ways you can wright n on is >= the n-1:th prime.
 
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There are many bounds for primes you could look up.
 
I made a simple equation for the ways you can wright n on:

nodpf(1 to a)*a - nodpf(1 to a)((1 to a) - 1) and add to this a

Primes and 1 excluded in (1 to a), if the current term is a prime or 1 then skip

nodpf = number of different prime factors, for instance 12 has the factors 2,3 and 3. The different prime factors i define as 2 and 3.

There is another way also, I will post it as soon as i figure it out. The one above is simpler to express.

For six the equation becomes:

(1)*6 - (1)(4 - 1)
+
(2)*6 - (2)(6 - 1)
+
6
=
11

For seven the equation becomes:

(1)*7 - (1)(4 - 1)
+
(2)*7 - (2)(6 - 1)
+
7
= 15

For eight the equation becomes:

(1)*8 - (1)(4 - 1)
+
(2)*8 - (2)(6 - 1)
+
(1)*8 - (1)(8 - 1)
+
8
=
20

And that is correct. the equation can be simplified into:
nodpf(1 to a)(a - ((1 to a) - 1)) and add to this a

For nine it looks like this:

nodpf(4)(9 - ((4) - 1))
+
nodpf(6)(9 - ((6) - 1))
+
nodpf(8)(9 - ((8) - 1))
+
nodpf(9)(9 - ((9) - 1))
+
9
=
1(9 - ((4) - 1))
+
2(9 - ((6) - 1))
+
1(9 - ((8) - 1))
+
1(9 - ((9) - 1))
+
9
=
9 - 3
+
18 - 10
+
9 - 7
+
9 - 8
+
9
=
54-28
=
26
 
Last edited:
Bits of that don't make sense: what does primes excluded in (1 to a) mean?
 
  • #10
I hope I answered the question in the last post after you asked.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
No, it still makes no sense in many places as a piece of English.
 

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