Another (candidate) test of primality of Mersenne number

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter T.Rex
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Test
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a conjecture related to the primality of Mersenne numbers, specifically exploring an alternative to the Lucas-Lehmer Test (LLT). Participants examine properties of sequences defined by the recurrence relation and modular arithmetic involving fractions, aiming to establish a faster method for proving Mersenne numbers are prime or composite.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose a conjecture that a Mersenne number \( M_q = 2^q - 1 \) is prime if \( S_{q-1} \equiv S_0 \pmod{M_q} \), where \( S_0 = 3^2 + \frac{1}{3^2} \) and \( S_{i+1} = S_i^2 - 2 \).
  • Others express uncertainty about performing modular arithmetic with fractions, questioning how to compute \( S_0 \) and its implications for different values of \( q \).
  • Some participants provide examples using specific values of \( q \) (e.g., 5, 7, 13) and demonstrate calculations using PARI/gp, but there is disagreement on the interpretation of results.
  • A participant suggests that the conjecture could lead to a faster method for proving a Mersenne number is composite, rather than prime.
  • Another participant introduces a recursive series as a potential test for primality, but acknowledges that it may not be conclusive for composite numbers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the conjecture or the methods for performing modular arithmetic with fractions. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the calculations and implications of the proposed conjecture.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the assumptions underlying the conjecture, the handling of fractions in modular arithmetic, and the scope of the proposed tests for primality.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to mathematicians and enthusiasts focused on number theory, particularly those studying primality testing and Mersenne numbers.

T.Rex
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
Hi,

You probably already know the Lucas-Lehmer-Test (LLT) used for proving that a Mersenne number is prime or composite. (See: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Lucas-LehmerTest.html" ).

The LLT is based on the properties of the Tree built by x^2-2 modulo a Mersenne number.

Now, here is a conjecture (checked up to M26 = M_{23209}) based on the properties of the Cycles of length (q-1) built by x^2-2 modulo a Mersenne number.

\large M_q=2^q-1 \text{ is prime } \Longleftrightarrow \ S_{q-1} \equiv S_0 \ \pmod{M_q} \text{ , where: } S_0=3^2+1/3^2 , \ S_{i+1}=S_i^2-2 \ .

How can it be proved ?

Tony
(far from Internet till 8th of May)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
No idea ?

This conjecture is the first step of an attempt to find a primality proof for Mersenne numbers faster than the Lucas-Lehmer test (LLT).
So a proof could help the GIMPS project.

Tony
 
T.Rex said:
M_q is a Mersenne number.

\large M_q=2^q-1 \text{ is prime } \Longleftrightarrow \ S_{q-1} \equiv S_0 \ \pmod{M_q} \text{ , where: } S_0=3^2+1/3^2 , \ S_{i+1}=S_i^2-2 \ .

How can it be proved ?

Tony
(far from Internet till 8th of May)

I not sure how to do mod arithmetic in fractions.
Let
Say M_q = 7 = 63/9 andS_{0} = \frac{82}{9}
1) Is the following true?
S_0 \equiv \frac{(82-63)}{9} = \frac{19}{9} \mod M_q

2)If S_0 is squared the denominator gets larger, but how does it then become equal to 9 again?

3)Can you illustrate this for M_2 or M_3?
 
Last edited:
ramsey2879 said:
I not sure how to do mod arithmetic in fractions...
1/3^2 mod Mq can be easily computed, since Mq=1+2.3.q.k .
1/3 mod Mq = (2.Mq+1)/3 .

Examples with q=5, 7, 13 (using PARI/gp) :
q=5
(1/3)%31 --> 21
(2*31+1)/31 --> 21
(3^2+1/3^2)%31 --> 16

q=7
(1/3)%127 --> 85
(2*127+1)/3 --> 85
(3^2+1/3^2)%127 --> 122

q=13
(1/3)%8191 --> 5461
(2*8191+1)/3 --> 5461
(3^2+1/3^2)%8191 --> 7290

Regards,

Tony
 
Iterations for q=5,7,11,13 and PARI/gp code

Code:
q=5: S0=16 -> 6 -> 3 -> 7 -> 16

q=7: S0=122 -> 23-> 19 -> 105 -> 101 -> 39 -> 122

q=11: S0=464 -> 359 -> 1965 -> 581 -> 1851 -> 1568 -> 175 -> 1965 -> 581 -> 1851 -> 1568

q=13: S0=7290 -> 890 -> 5762 -> 2519 -> 5525 -> 5957 -> 2435 -> 7130 -> 3552 -> 2562 -> 2851 -> 2727 -> 7290

PARI/gp:

LLGT(q)=
{
M=2^q-1; S0=(3^2+1/3^2)%M; print(S0); S=S0;
for(i=1, q-1, S=(S^2-2)%M; print(S));
if(S==S0, print("Prime !"), print("Composite"))
}
 
T.Rex said:
This conjecture is the first step of an attempt to find a primality proof for Mersenne numbers faster than the Lucas-Lehmer test (LLT).
I forgot to say that the idea could only speed up proving a Mersenne number is composite.
T.
 
T.Rex said:
1/3^2 mod Mq can be easily computed, since Mq=1+2.3.q.k .
1/3 mod Mq = (2.Mq+1)/3 .

Examples with q=5, 7, 13 (using PARI/gp) :
q=5
(1/3)%31 --> 21
My excel program gives 1/3 mod 31 = .333 which seems correct to me.
T.Rex said:
(2*31+1)/31 --> 21
Why not (2*31+1)/31 = 3?
 
T.Rex said:
Code:
q=5: S0=16 -> 6 -> 3 -> 7 -> 16

q=7: S0=122 -> 23-> 19 -> 105 -> 101 -> 39 -> 122

q=11: S0=464 -> 359 -> 1965 -> 581 -> 1851 -> 1568 -> 175 -> 1965 -> 581 -> 1851 -> 1568

q=13: S0=7290 -> 890 -> 5762 -> 2519 -> 5525 -> 5957 -> 2435 -> 7130 -> 3552 -> 2562 -> 2851 -> 2727 -> 7290

PARI/gp:

LLGT(q)=
{
M=2^q-1; S0=(3^2+1/3^2)%M; print(S0); S=S0;
for(i=1, q-1, S=(S^2-2)%M; print(S));
if(S==S0, print("Prime !"), print("Composite"))
}
Could you work these through to show how one would get a integer as the result using pencil and paper instead of a fraction when you compute S_{0} (or 9 + 1/9) mod 7
 
ramsey2879 said:
My excel program gives 1/3 mod 31 = .333 which seems correct to me. Why not (2*31+1)/31 = 3?
It is Arithmetic. Use an appropriate tool, like PARI/gp.
Here y=1/x=x^(-1) mod z means y*x = 1 mod z , where x, y and z are integers ...
T.
 
  • #10
ramsey2879 said:
Could you work these through to show how one would get a integer as the result using pencil and paper instead of a fraction when you compute S_{0} (9 + 1/9) mod 7
Since 9 = 2 mod 7 and since 2*4=8=1 mod 7 , 9+1/9 = 2+1/2=2+4=6 mod 7.
T.
 
  • #11
OK Now I understand how fractions can be converted to integers in mod calculations.
1/9= 1/2 = 8/2 = 4 \mod 7

Thanks
 
  • #12
I thimk you and I have something

I can't begin to proove it but you seem to have something here.
P.S. How about my test?
If M_{p} is prime, then for the recursive series S_{1}=a, S_{2} = b,
S_{n} = 6*S_{(n-1)} - S_{(n-2)} \mod M_{p} \quad \mid 0 \leq a,b < M_{p}
Then S_{2^{(p-1)}} = a

For m_{p} = composite the test is not conclusive for a single a and b but it is easy to find a false set.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K