Twin Primes of the form (8n+5,8n+7)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conjecture that if the numbers of the form 8n+5 and 8n+7 are twin primes, then their product divides a sequence defined by a recurrence relation S_n. Participants explore the implications of this conjecture, the definition of the sequence S_n, and the mathematical properties related to prime numbers and quadratic residues.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant conjectures that if 8n+5 and 8n+7 are twin primes, then their product divides S_{4n+3}, where S_n is defined by a recurrence relation.
  • Another participant questions the definition of S_n, noting that simply stating S_0=0 is insufficient without defining S_1.
  • A participant suggests that S_n might represent the n-th square triangular number, leading to confusion regarding the values of S_1 and S_2.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of their findings, noting that the properties of S_n may not directly relate to the twin prime nature of 8n+5 and 8n+7.
  • There is a proposal that if 8n+5 divides S_{4n+3}, then 8n+5 must be prime, although this has not been fully worked out.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the mathematical proofs being discussed, particularly regarding the divisibility of certain expressions by primes.
  • One participant attempts to clarify their proof but faces challenges in demonstrating the divisibility of specific terms.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the validity of certain mathematical steps and the assumptions made regarding quadratic residues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and implications of S_n, as well as the validity of the conjecture itself. There is no consensus on the correctness of the proposed proofs or the relationship between the conjecture and the properties of twin primes.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the definitions and assumptions regarding S_n, particularly the need for clarity on S_1. There are unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on the properties of quadratic residues that affect the discussion.

ramsey2879
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Conjecture If [tex]8n+5[/tex] and [tex]8n+7[/tex] are twin primes then their product divides [tex]S_{4n+3}[/tex] where
[tex]S_{n} = 6S_{n-1} - S_{n-2} \mid S_{0} = 0[/tex]

Prove or disprove
 
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I don't see any way to do this until you actually DEFINE "Sn". Since your recurssion for Sn involves both Sn-1 and Sn-2, just saying "S0= 0" is not enough. What is S1?
 
The standard guess, given it's ramsey, would be that S_n is the n'th square triangular number. That would make S_1=1, however, in that case S_2 would be 6, which is only one of square and triangular, so I am mystified.
 
Note if S_1=1, then (S_2)^2=6^2=36, the 3rd square triangular number, and so on.

It looks true. If we set u=1+sqrt(2), v=sqrt(2)-1 then S_n=(u^(2n)-v^(2n))/sqrt(8). It's enough to show that if p=8n+5 or 7 is prime then p divides u^(8n+6)-v^(8n+6), which will follow if you can show p divides u^(16n+12)-1.

If p=8n+5, then 2^((p-1)/2)=-1 mod p as 2 is not a quadratic residue mod p. Thus u^p=1-sqrt(2) mod p and u^16n+12-1=u^(2p+2)-1=(1-sqrt(2))^2*u^2-1=0 mod p. Similar for p=8n+7, except 2 is a quadratic residue in this case.

Notice this has nothing to do with them being twin primes. This is almost the same as the proof of the Lucas-Lehmer test. I think the reverse implication might be true as well, if 8n+5 divides S_(4n+3) then 8n+5 is prime (same for 7), but I haven't worked out the details.
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't see any way to do this until you actually DEFINE "Sn". Since your recurssion for Sn involves both Sn-1 and Sn-2, just saying "S0= 0" is not enough. What is S1?
S_1 is any integer I didn't think one would consider letting it be otherwise.
 
shmoe said:
Notice this has nothing to do with them being twin primes. This is almost the same as the proof of the Lucas-Lehmer test. I think the reverse implication might be true as well, if 8n+5 divides S_(4n+3) then 8n+5 is prime (same for 7), but I haven't worked out the details.
Yes it works for all primes. It is interesting because if 2 is a square modulus n then S_((n-1)/2) = 0 modulus n otherwise S_((n+1)/2) = 0 mod n. For twin primes thes are the same numbers. The converse is not true. One example is n = 19*59 also works.
 
Changing S_1 from 1 to any integer won't affect post #4 as this will just multiply all the S_n's by your new S_1.

ramsey2879 said:
The converse is not true. One example is n = 19*59 also works.

Maybe I mucked something up, but 2 isn't a residue mod 19*59 but I get S_((19*59+1)/2) =S_1 mod 19*59. However S_((19*59-1)/2) is 0 mod 19*59? In any case, the converse does appear false, n=29*41=1189, 2 is not a quadratic residue and S_1190= 0 mod 1189.
 
shmoe said:
Note if S_1=1, then (S_2)^2=6^2=36, the 3rd square triangular number, and so on.

It looks true. If we set u=1+sqrt(2), v=sqrt(2)-1 then S_n=(u^(2n)-v^(2n))/sqrt(8). It's enough to show that if p=8n+5 or 7 is prime then p divides u^(8n+6)-v^(8n+6), which will follow if you can show p divides u^(16n+12)-1.
I don't understand your proof here. The divisor for S_n is 4sqrt(2). Also, I get u^p = u mod p by Fermat's little theorem.
Thus u^(16n+10) = (u^p)*(u^p) = u*u = 3+2sqrt(2) where p =8n+5
and u^(16n+11) = 7+5sqrt(2)
and u^(16n+12) -1 =16+12sqrt(2)

how is 16 + 12sqrt(2) divisible by p?

My attempted proof:
p|S_(4n-3) <--> p|(u^(8n+6)-v^(8n+6))/4sqrt(2)
--> p|(u^2-v^2)/4sqrt(2) (Fermats little therom)
--> p|(3 +2sqrt(2) - (3-2sqrt(2)))/4sqrt)
--> p|1

where did I go wrong?
 
Last edited:
ramsey2879 said:
I don't understand your proof here. The divisor for S_n is 4sqrt(2).

That's correct, I have a typo. No change in the proof though, p is odd so you can remove as many multiples of 2 as you like.

ramsey2879 said:
Also, I get u^p = u mod p by Fermat's little theorem.

u is not an integer, Fermat's doesn't apply directly. Use the binomial theorem to expand, p divides each coefficient except the first and last, use the fact 2 is not a quadratic residue.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
ramsey2879 said:
I don't understand your proof here. The divisor for S_n is 4sqrt(2). Also, I get u^p = u mod p by Fermat's little theorem.
Thus u^(16n+10) = (u^p)*(u^p) = u*u = 3+2sqrt(2) where p =8n+5
and u^(16n+11) = 7+5sqrt(2)
and u^(16n+12) -1 =16+12sqrt(2)

how is 16 + 12sqrt(2) divisible by p?

My attempted proof:
p|S_(4n-3) <--> p|(u^(8n+6)-v^(8n+6))/4sqrt(2)
...
continuing
--> p|(1+2^(4n+3) -(1 + 2^(4n+3)) +pM) /4sqrt(2)
--> p|0
 
  • #11
ramsey2879 said:
continuing
--> p|(1+2^(4n+3) -(1 + 2^(4n+3)) +pM) /4sqrt(2)
--> p|0

Where does this come from? What's the point of M? It looks like you're trying to do something like (a+b)^(p+1)=a^(p+1)+b^(p+1) mod p, which is just not true.
 
  • #12
shmoe said:
Maybe I mucked something up, but 2 isn't a residue mod 19*59 but I get S_((19*59+1)/2) =S_1 mod 19*59. However S_((19*59-1)/2) is 0 mod 19*59? In any case, the converse does appear false, n=29*41=1189, 2 is not a quadratic residue and S_1190= 0 mod 1189.

It depends upon what rule you used in the test for p being a prime. 19*59 is of the form 8n+1 which if prime would include 2 as a residue and you would subtract 1 from 19*59 before dividing by 2 to get S_(10*56) = 0 mod 19*59 correctly which to me would falsely indicate that 19*59 is prime. You also stated the rule in this fashion when you said "I think the reverse implication might be true as well, if 8n+5 divides S_(4n+3) then 8n+5 is prime (same for 7), but I haven't worked out the details." 1189 is of the form 8n+5, if this is a prime then 2 would not be a residue and you add 1 correctly to get S_(595) = 0 mod 29*41 which would also falsely indicate that 29*41 is prime. I only later stated the rule as subtracting 1 if 2 is a residue and adding 1 if 2 is not a residue when in fact I merely used the value modulus 8 to determine whether to add or subtract 1 as you earlier indicated the proposed test to be.
 

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