Prime Cell Phone Numbers: Oddity or Probability?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of prime cell phone numbers, exploring the probability of ten-digit phone numbers being prime, and sharing personal experiences related to prime numbers. Participants engage in both mathematical reasoning and light-hearted commentary.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their excitement about having a prime cell phone number and questions if others have similar experiences.
  • Another participant provides an estimate of the probability of a ten-digit number being prime, suggesting it is about 4.3% based on the distribution of primes.
  • Some participants discuss the specific conditions for ten-digit numbers, noting that certain numbers cannot be prime due to their last digit (e.g., those ending in 0).
  • A participant mentions generating random ten-digit numbers to check for primality, reporting a similar percentage of primes found in their sample.
  • There is a discussion about the mathematical properties of numbers, including the sum of two squares and the characteristics of prime numbers.
  • Several participants express curiosity about how to check if a number is prime and share resources or tools for doing so.
  • One participant humorously notes the implications of sharing their prime phone number publicly.
  • Another participant mentions working on an algorithm to compute ten-digit primes and seeks advice on improving its efficiency.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of views on the probability of ten-digit phone numbers being prime, with some providing estimates and others questioning the accuracy of those estimates. There is no consensus on the best method for calculating or verifying prime numbers, and discussions about the implications of sharing personal information remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of calculating prime numbers and the limitations of approximations. The discussion includes references to specific mathematical concepts and algorithms without resolving the underlying uncertainties.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those curious about prime numbers, probability in number theory, and the mathematical properties of phone numbers. It may also appeal to individuals looking for informal exchanges about mathematics and personal anecdotes related to numbers.

  • #31
Char. Limit said:
Except I don't live in Canada...

Its not nice tricking people into thinking that you live in Canada.
 
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  • #32
Tangentially related: both my birthday and month of birth are prime and together they form a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexy_prime" pair. Yay.

None of my phone numbers are prime though.
 
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  • #33
Vasara said:
Tangentially related: both my birthday and month of birth are prime and together they form a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexy_prime" pair.

May 11th, July 13th, November 5th, or November 17th, then.
 
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  • #34
Kajahtava said:
Okay, I've got an algorithm running right now which should give me the amount of ten digit primes, if anyone has a faster computer than I and runs scheme, or has some pointers on reducing complexity:

http://codepad.org/pD8jMxnp

I have no idea how long this will take, I made the algorithm to compute the list of primes a while ago, hence it has comments. In theory it should compute a list of all primes smaller than 999999999 and then count the the amount that are higher than 1000000000.

I have that number already -- 404204977. But I don't have the number that excludes area codes starting with 1, certain numbers with connection 555, etc.

Borek said:
7 = (\sqrt 7)^2

so 7 is a square.

"Square" is surely used in its number theory sense here, as Kajahtava suggests.
 
  • #35
What if where you live they don't have 10 digit phone numbers?
Well anyway, this 8 digit number of mine is even so... I'm one of the special ones that has a composite phone number.
 
  • #36
When did I say I was in Canada?

I've aleady mentioned in the Member Photo Thread that the lake behind me was Lake Coeur d'Alene... in Idaho.
 
  • #37
CRGreathouse said:
I have that number already -- 404204977. But I don't have the number that excludes area codes starting with 1, certain numbers with connection 555, etc.
Ah yes, good point.
"Square" is surely used in its number theory sense here, as Kajahtava suggests.
Even better point.
 
  • #38
Char. Limit said:
When did I say I was in Canada?

I've aleady mentioned in the Member Photo Thread that the lake behind me was Lake Coeur d'Alene... in Idaho.
If you don't remember I'm not going to remind you.





;-p
 
  • #39
Don't forget also, all numbers with the fourth through sixth digits "911" have to mostly cancel as well...
 
  • #40
CRGreathouse said:
May 11th, July 13th, November 5th, or November 17th, then.
Yup, November 5th is right. That's also the smallest sexy prime pair.
 
  • #41
Char. Limit said:
Don't forget also, all numbers with the fourth through sixth digits "911" have to mostly cancel as well...

I hadn't thought of that -- I wonder if this means the number I gave was too high, or if that rule is subsumed in another.

Vasara said:
Yup, November 5th is right. That's also the smallest sexy prime pair.

The 5th of November? Ominous.
 

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