Infinite primes using Quadratic Residues

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the infinitude of primes in the set {8n+7} using quadratic residues and Legendre Polynomials. The user successfully demonstrated that for primes of the form p=8n+7, the Legendre symbol (2/p)=1 and (-1,p)=-1, leading to the conclusion that (-2/p)=-1. However, a correction was made regarding the statement that (-2/p)=1 iff p is congruent to 1 or 5 mod 8, which was identified as false. The conversation emphasizes the need for constructing numbers whose odd prime divisors exclude certain residue classes to extend the proof.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Fermat's Theorem
  • Knowledge of Legendre Polynomials
  • Familiarity with quadratic residues
  • Basic concepts of modular arithmetic
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of Legendre symbols in number theory
  • Explore methods for constructing numbers with specific prime divisor residue classes
  • Study proofs of the infinitude of primes in forms like 4k+1
  • Investigate advanced applications of quadratic residues in prime number theory
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Mathematicians, number theorists, and students interested in prime number proofs and quadratic residues will benefit from this discussion.

JdotAckdot
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I've been able to prove that the set {8n+7} has infinite primes by manipulating Fermat's Theorem, but I'm trying to reprove it using quadratic residue and Legendre Polynomials.

I've been able to show that for p=8n+7, (2/p)=1 and (-1,p)=-1

So it follows that (-2/p)=-1. And that (-2/p)=1 iff p congruent to 1 or 5 mod 8.

any ideas how to extend that to the final proof?
 
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You mean legendre symbols.

"And that (-2/p)=1 iff p congruent to 1 or 5 mod 8."

is false, (-2/5)=(3/5)=-1.

Given a finite set of primes congruent to 7 mod 8, can you construct a number whose odd prime divisors exlclude two of the residue classes {1,3,5} mod 8? This is your first step. This is similar to proving infinitely many primes of the form 4k+1. You constructed a number that has no prime divisors congruent to 3 mod 4, which you prove via quadratic residues. The 7 mod 8 case is more work, you won't be able to exclude all the other residue classes mod 8 but this is a start.
 

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