Newest Prime Number Found Today!

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SUMMARY

The newest prime number, discovered today, is a Mersenne prime represented as 220996011-1. This prime number consists of 6,320,430 digits, surpassing the previous largest known prime by over 2 million digits. The discovery highlights the collaborative efforts of mathematicians and enthusiasts worldwide, driven by the pursuit of knowledge rather than practical applications. Mersenne primes are defined by the formula 2p-1, where p is also a prime number.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Mersenne primes
  • Basic knowledge of prime numbers
  • Familiarity with discrete mathematics concepts
  • Awareness of large number notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of Mersenne primes
  • Explore the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) project
  • Learn about primality testing algorithms
  • Investigate the significance of large prime numbers in cryptography
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of discrete mathematics, number theorists, and anyone interested in the exploration of prime numbers and mathematical discoveries.

Miles
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Hey, check this out, the newest prime number found today!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=10&u=/ap/20031211/ap_on_hi_te/biggest_prime_number
 
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Cool! Just like most other very large prime numbers, this is also a Mersenne-prime:

2^p-1

with p itself prime. In this case

2^{20996011}-1

was proven to be prime.

The number is 6,320,430 digits long and [...] it is more than 2 million digits larger than the previous largest known prime number.
Zero practical application, but very cool.
 
Very interesting indeed. I learned about Mersenne primes in a discrete math class this semester. It's amazing how hundreds of people worldwide are joined into finding out bigger and bigger prime numbers for well no reason at all except the fact of self enjoyment. Very cool stuff.
 

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