A different approach to prime numbers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an alternative approach to understanding prime numbers, particularly through the selection of a finite set of numbers designated as primes and deriving other numbers from this set. Participants explore the implications of this method, its relation to generating functions, and potential connections to group theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a method of selecting a finite set of numbers as primes and deriving all natural numbers from this set through multiplication, seeking to find a relationship between these primes and the generated numbers.
  • Another participant suggests that if two products of primes are coprime and their difference is less than the square of the nth prime, then that difference is prime, providing an example to illustrate this point.
  • A different participant clarifies their approach by proposing a specific set of numbers as primes and discussing how natural numbers can be generated from this set, suggesting a reverse engineering method to find relations between generating functions of primes and natural numbers.
  • One participant mentions a connection to group theory but cannot recall the specific term, indicating a potential area of further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the proposed method for generating primes and the implications of their approaches. There is no consensus on the effectiveness or validity of the methods discussed, and multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the unclear definitions of the finite set of primes and the assumptions underlying the proposed methods. Additionally, the feasibility of computing large products and determining valid groupings for differences remains unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring alternative methods in number theory, particularly in the context of prime number generation and the application of group theory concepts.

kureta
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[SOLVED] A different approach to prime numbers

i read something about choosing a finite set of numbers as primes and deriving the other numbers from aforementioned set so that every number is obtained by multiplying primes (the numbers you choose to be prime in your system) in every possible combination. then looking for a realtion between these primes and the numbers they generate. does someone know this method and who found it? and sorry for my bad english.
 
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Well of course, suppose you take the difference of two products of primes, and if each prime factor up to the nth prime factor is a factor of one of the two products. If the two products are coprime and the difference between these products is less than P(n)^2, then that difference is a prime. To me that's what your question is about. For instance 3*7 - 5*2 = 11; and 11 must be prime since 21 and 10 are coprime, the two products contain all prime factors up to 7 and 11 < 49. Each of the 11 primes between 7 and 49 can be represented in some way as such a difference. Is this a way to fine large primes? No since the size of the resulting products becomes too large to reasonably compute and it can not be easily determing what grouping will create a difference < n^2 and which is not a repeated difference.
 
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i think i couldn't explain myself. Let me put it this way. for example i choose {5,6,7} as my set of prime numbers. so in my system, natural numbers are 5,6,7,25,30,35,... because normally natural numbers are obtained by multiplying primes in every possible way. this is some kind of reverse engineering :) you already know the generating function of your primes because you provided them, once you find out the generating function of natural numbers of this system you can find a relation between these two functions and use this relation for approximations about real prime numbers. i am really sorry my english is not so good. especially in technical subjects.
 
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Oh yes, it's something to do with group theory, but I forget its name off the top of my head. I had the option of studying that as my 3rd year project but ended up going with the transfer homomorphism, see if I can find my notes somewhere and fine the name for you.
 

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