Relate Mersenne Primes To Sq Triangular Nos.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between Mersenne primes and square triangular numbers, specifically exploring conjectures regarding divisibility and recursive relations. The scope includes theoretical conjectures, mathematical reasoning, and computational approaches to verify claims.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant conjectures that for \( p > 2 \), the \( 2^{(p-1)} \)th square triangular number is divisible by \( M_{p} \) if and only if \( M_{p} \) is prime, noting checks for \( 2 < p < 27 \).
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the definition of square triangular numbers, which are numbers that are both square and triangular.
  • Several participants discuss the recursive relation for square triangular numbers, defined as \( S_{n} = 6*S_{n-1} - S_{n-2} \), and relate it to their conjectures about Mersenne primes.
  • One participant mentions a refined approach to testing Mersenne primes based on the properties of square triangular numbers, suggesting that only \( p-1 \) terms need to be calculated.
  • A later post describes a program developed to check Mersenne numbers for primality based on the relationship with square triangular numbers, indicating the computational effort involved.
  • Participants express uncertainty about the implications of the conjecture, particularly regarding the special case of \( p = 2 \) and its relation to the recursive sequence.
  • One participant suggests that further exploration of the conjecture may be fruitless and proposes finding a proof instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the conjectures presented, and multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the relationships and implications discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of square triangular numbers and Mersenne primes, as well as unresolved mathematical steps in the conjectures and computational methods proposed.

ramsey2879
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Conjecture, For p>2, the [tex]2^(p-1)[/tex] th square triangular number is divisible by [tex]M_{p}[/tex] if and only if [tex]M_{p}[/tex] is prime. I checked this for 2<p<27. For instance the first four square triangular numbers are 0,1,36 and 1225 and the fourth is divisible by .
PS In fact it appears that if is prime then for any starting integers [tex]S_{1}[/tex] and [tex]S_2[/tex] having the recursive relation ,
[tex]S_{n} = 6*S_{n-1} - S_{n-2}[/tex] the following congruence holds:
[tex]S_{2^{p-1}} = S_{1} \mod M_{p}. There is prize money lurking here for those who are interested.<br /> <br /> _________________<br /> Have a useful day[/tex]
 
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Fancy explaining that a bit more clearly, like what you mean by a square triangular number?
 
Looks like he means numbers that are simultaneously square numbers and triangular numbers. E.g. 36 = 6x6 = 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8
 
Zurtex said:
Fancy explaining that a bit more clearly, like what you mean by a square triangular number?
The recursive relation for square triangular numbers is known to be [tex]S_0 = 0, S_1 = 1, S_{n} = 6*S_{n-1} - S_{n-2}[/tex]
[tex]T(m) = m(m+1)/2 = S_{n}*S_{n}[/tex]

Thus my conjecture about square triangular numbers is just a special case of my more general conjecture which is that for the same type of series with any two starting integers that if [tex]M_{p}[/tex] is a prime Mersenne number then [tex]S_{(1+i)} = S_{(2^{p-1}+i)} \mod M_{p}[/tex]. With [tex]S_{1} = 0, M_{p} = \mbox{prime}[/tex] then [tex]M_{p} \mid S_{2^{p-1}}[/tex] for any integer S_2.
 
Last edited:
Zurtex said:
Fancy explaining that a bit more clearly, like what you mean by a square triangular number?
The recursive relation for square triangular numbers is known to be [tex]S_0 = 0, S_1 = 1, S_{n} = 6*S_{n-1} - S_{n-2}[/tex]
[tex]T(m) = m(m+1)/2 = S_{n}*S_{n}[/tex]

Thus my conjecture about square triangular numbers is just a special case of my more gemeral conjecture which is that for the same type of series with any two starting integers that if [tex]M_{p}=2^{p} - 1[/tex] is a prime Mersenne number then [tex]S_{(1+i)} = S_{(2^{p-1}+i)} \mod M_{p}[/tex]. With [tex]S_{1} = 0, M_{p} = \mbox{prime}[/tex] then [tex]M_{p} \mid S_{2^{p-1}}[/tex] for any integer S_2.
 
ramsey2879 said:
The recursive relation for square triangular numbers is known to be [tex]S_0 = 0, S_1 = 1, S_{n} = 6*S_{n-1} - S_{n-2}[/tex]
[tex]T(m) = m(m+1)/2 = S_{n}*S_{n}[/tex]

Thus my conjecture about square triangular numbers is just a special case of my more gemeral conjecture which is that for the same type of series with any two starting integers that if [tex]M_{p}=2^{p} - 1[/tex] is a prime Mersenne number then [tex]S_{(1+i)} = S_{(2^{p-1}+i)} \mod M_{p}[/tex]. With [tex]S_{1} = 0, M_{p} = \mbox{prime}[/tex] then [tex]M_{p} \mid S_{2^{p-1}}[/tex] for any integer S_2.
After more consideration, I realized that it is not necessary to store more than one term and that my test can be refined so that there are only p-1 terms that need to be calculated.

Input p
M(p) = 2^p -1
S_0 = 1
C = p
Do
S_0 = (4*S_0)*(8*S_0 + 1) Mod M(p)
C = C - 1
Loop until C = 1
If S_0 = 1 Then
Print "M(" & p & ") is prime"
Else
Print "M(" & p & ") is not prime"
End If.

Although this test involves more steps, it basically involves almost the same complexity as the Lucus-Lehmer Test since the additional steps are register shifts and the addition of 1
It is based upon the fact that 1 is the 2nd square triangular number and that The S_0's follow the sequence ST(2),ST(3),ST(5),ST(9),ST(17)... i.e. ST(2^n+1) in the sequence of square triangular numbers (modulus M(p) of course). I checked the test for p = 3 to 28. It doesn't work for p = 2 since 3 is a factor of 6.

Any comments?
 
I managed to write a basic program using true/false arrays with binary like addition subtraction and multiplication that checked all Mersenne numbers, [tex]2^{p} -1 \mid p = \mb{prime}[/tex] for primes from p = 3 up through p = 929 base upon the relation between Mersenne Primes and Square Triangular Numbers. I designed it to do primes up to p= 4999 without modification, but it takes something in the order of a 8 hour day to check up through p=929. I am not sure since I upgraded my program after the first 82 primes and it did the next 82 primes in about the same time, so I am only estimating that it would have taken less than 1/4 the time to check the first 82 primes.

My conjecture in the preceeding post still holds with the lone exception being 2^2 - 1 which I don't think affects my conjecture since 3 is a special case related to the recursive sequence S_n = 6*S_(n-1) - S_(n-2) for square triangular numbers.

It probably would be fruitless to explore my conjecture further in this mannor. A better approach is to find a proof. Any takers or suggestions.
 

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