A prime number which equals prime numbers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether the sum of certain prime numbers can equal another prime number. Participants explore various examples and seek to establish a general proof or disproof of this concept, with a focus on specific cases rather than a universal rule.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to prove or disprove that the sum of prime numbers can equal other prime numbers.
  • Another participant provides examples where the sum of certain primes results in a prime, but also notes cases where it does not, such as 2+7=9.
  • Some participants clarify that they are not referring to all primes but rather specific instances that follow the proposed statement.
  • There is confusion about the phrasing of the original question, with requests for clarification on what is meant by "the sum of a prime numbers which equals to other prime numbers."
  • One participant points out that adding two odd primes results in an even number, which cannot be prime unless it is 2.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about finding a general proof, suggesting that the statement is not universally true and may depend on specific conditions.
  • Several examples are provided, including sums that yield prime results, but also counterexamples that demonstrate the complexity of the inquiry.
  • Participants express differing interpretations of the original question and the implications of the examples given.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the original question. There are multiple competing views regarding the nature of the sums of primes and whether a general proof can be established. The discussion remains unresolved with ongoing confusion and debate about the definitions and examples presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the original question and the need for clearer definitions. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the conditions under which the sums of primes yield prime results.

MathematicalPhysicist
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how can i proove or disproove that the sum of a prime numbers which equals to other prime numbers is a prime number?
i hope the question has been comprehended.
 
Last edited:
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Your hope is in vain, at least in my case.

Let's see. 2+5 = 7 so the sum is prime. But 2+7 = 9, Oops.

Maybe successive primes? 2+5 = 7, 5+7 =12 Oops.

Maybe give an example?
 
i don't mean all the primes just a few.
those who does follow the statement.
 
Last edited:
Please give an example:

"the sum of a prime numbers which equals to other prime numbers "
do you mean things like "2+ 5= 7", "9+ 2= 11", "5+ 7+ 11= 23"?

"is a prime number?" Is WHAT a prime a number?

My first reaction was that you meant the sum: well, of course, that's a prime- you just said it was!

I THINK you mean that the number of primes in the sum must be a prime. I'll have to think of that. Can we find 4 primes whose sum is a prime?
 
All primes except 2 are odd. So if you add two of them, the result is even, and thus not a prime.
 
Originally posted by HallsofIvy
Please give an example:

"the sum of a prime numbers which equals to other prime numbers "
do you mean things like "2+ 5= 7", "9+ 2= 11", "5+ 7+ 11= 23"?

"is a prime number?" Is WHAT a prime a number?

My first reaction was that you meant the sum: well, of course, that's a prime- you just said it was!

I THINK you mean that the number of primes in the sum must be a prime. I'll have to think of that. Can we find 4 primes whose sum is a prime?
9 isn't a prime.
example the sum of:
2+3=5
5+2=7
11+2=13
if you sum them you don't get a prime 25 and thus you disproove the statement what i want is a generalized proof not munerical.
edit: a counter example is like 2 and 3 which are prime but they don't equal to other primes.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by loop quantum gravity
edit: a counter example is like 2 and 3 which are prime but they don't equal to other primes.
I don't know about others, but i don't understand what you mean by that.

Now, what i understand from what you previsouly said is that (in some cases) you can add up primes to reach another prime number. Now, some have showed that this is not always possible, some it is only possible in some cases.
What you want to proove is that (the fact sometimes you can add up primes to end up with primes).
So, in other words, if you take some primes, and add them up, you will reach one of two results :
1-a non-prime number
2-a prime number
You are choosing part 2 to study, and want to proove it.
What u are trying to proove is prooved by definition :smile:, you are saying that "among the add up of primes, i want to proove that those with a prime number result are prime numbers".
It is like saying "proove that primes are primes", which is proven by definition.
Maybe i didn't understand your question though.
 
no that's not what i want to find.
what i want to find is the sum of the prime numbers which equal other prime numbers and proove it or disproove it for the general view, for example:
2+59=61
3+11+53=67
3+11+61=71

the sum of them is equal to prime number: 199.
 
2+3=5
2+5=7
2+11=13

5+7+13=25
 
  • #10
At first I thought the problem was that I didn't know what you were saying.


Now, I think the problem is that YOU don't know what you are saying!

Yes, the sum of SOME primes is prime. The sum of other primes is NOT.

It makes no sense to say that you want a GENERAL proof of something that is NOT generally true!

You may mean that you want to find conditions on the original set of primes so that you will know that the sum must be prime.

That is so general I doubt that you will find any simple conditions.
 
  • #11
MathematicalPhysicist said:
2+59=61
3+11+53=67
3+11+61=71

the sum of them is equal to prime number: 199.

This is an old thread - but just for the record:

3+11+61= 75 (not 71)

therefore 61+67+75= 203 which is not a prime.
 

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