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Conference rusure::math

Title:Mathematics at DEC
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2083
Total number of notes:14613

1498.0. "Primes in Arith. Progression" by CIVAGE::LYNN (Lynn Yarbrough @WNP DTN 427-5663) Fri Oct 04 1991 18:22

Here's an idea about primes in Arithmetic Progression that I haven't seen 
yet, although I have seen similar topics in this conference:

Consider the sequences:
{2,3}
	2 primes in A.P., delta = 1
{3,5,7} 
	3 primes in A.P., delta = 2
{5,11,17,23,29} 
	5 primes in A.P., delta = 6 = 2*3
{7,157,307,457,607,757,907} 
	7 primes in A.P., delta = 150 = 2*3*5*5

Thus for each of the primes p considered, we have a progression of primes of 
length p, starting with p.

Delta must be a multiple of the previous primes: otherwise, any progression
of length equal to an omitted prime must contain a multiple of it and thus
be composite. 

Does this grand sequence continue indefinitely? So far I haven't find a 
progression for p = 11, having tried Delta from 1*2*3*5*7 to 1000*2*3*5*7.
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1498.1ZFC::deramoinsufferably cuteFri Oct 04 1991 21:253
See also topic 4, Primes in A.P.

Dan
1498.2(Yawn)CIVAGE::LYNNLynn Yarbrough @WNP DTN 427-5663Fri Nov 15 1991 11:085
>Does this grand sequence continue indefinitely? So far I haven't find a 
>progression for p = 11, having tried Delta from 1*2*3*5*7 to 1000*2*3*5*7.

It looks discouraging. I have run the test out to delta = 150000*2*3*5*7
without success.
1498.3ZFC::deramoAll the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.Fri Nov 15 1991 11:515
To ask for a prime progression of a given length is one thing,
but methinks to expect it to also start at p = 11 is far too
optimistic.

Dan
1498.4Lynn's Lemma is in jeopardyVMSDEV::HALLYBFish have no concept of fireFri Nov 15 1991 13:1011
> To ask for a prime progression of a given length is one thing,
> but methinks to expect it to also start at p = 11 is far too
> optimistic.

    Such is the nature of discovery.  'Twould be nice if the hypothesis
    generalizes.
    
    Maybe Lynn should get on the net and offer a $100 prize for (the first)
    example sequence.  There are lots of bored students with idle CPUs...
    
      John
1498.5I'll use my own CPU, thanks :-)CIVAGE::LYNNLynn Yarbrough @WNP DTN 427-5663Fri Nov 15 1991 13:184
>    Maybe Lynn should get on the net and offer a $100 prize for (the first)
>    example sequence.  There are lots of bored students with idle CPUs...

Maybe John should put up the money!
1498.6any near misses?ZFC::deramoDan D'EramoFri Nov 15 1991 13:434
What is the longest prime arithmetic progression found so far
starting with p=11?

Dan
1498.7Who looks at short ones :-)?CIVAGE::LYNNLynn Yarbrough @WNP DTN 427-5663Mon Nov 18 1991 10:3414
>What is the longest prime arithmetic progression found so far starting with
>p=11? 

The longest I have *observed* is seven primes with delta = 123480:

11 123491 246971 370451 493931 617411 740891
followed by 907*953, then 987891 for 8 out of 9.

Since I don't normally display them, I may have bypassed many longer
sequences. By the way, long sequences of *composites* of this form are not
all that common: 14 is the longest of those I have seen. 

I ran the program out to delta = 1,000,000*2*3*5*7 over the weekend, without
success. Maybe I should pick an easier problem :-)
1498.8Interest at the $25 level, not the $100 level.VMSDEV::HALLYBFish have no concept of fireTue Nov 19 1991 16:5816
> Since I don't normally display them, I may have bypassed many longer
> sequences. 
    
    Though it makes sense, it escaped me that you want an A.P. of -exactly-
    the specified length.
    
> Maybe John should put up the money!
    
    If you can get others to front you $75, I'll put up $25.  
    
    Some of you may know the name of E. Karst in reference to this topic. 
    He was a friend and user of idle time on an IBM 1130 back in the late
    60s and early 70s, hunting for primes in A.P.  Thus I have some personal 
    interest in furthering research in this field.
    
      John