We care about your data, and we'd like to use cookies to give you a smooth browsing experience. Please agree and read more about our privacy policy.
  • Physics

  • Mathematics

  • Biology

  • Computer Science

  • Topics

  • Archive

What's up in

prime numbers

2022 Fields and Abacus Medals

A Solver of the Hardest Easy Problems About Prime Numbers

By Erica Klarreich
July 5, 2022
Read Later

On his way to winning a Fields Medal, James Maynard has cut a path through simple-sounding questions about prime numbers that have stumped mathematicians for centuries.

number theory

Graduate Student’s Side Project Proves Prime Number Conjecture

By Jordana Cepelewicz
June 6, 2022
Read Later

Jared Duker Lichtman, 26, has proved a longstanding conjecture relating prime numbers to a broad class of “primitive” sets. To his adviser, it came as a “complete shock.”

number theory

Mathematicians Clear Hurdle in Quest to Decode Primes

By Kevin Hartnett
January 13, 2022
Read Later

Paul Nelson has solved the subconvexity problem, bringing mathematicians one step closer to understanding the Riemann hypothesis and the distribution of prime numbers.

An illustration of a flashlight whose beam illuminates graphs and numbers.
number theory

Mathematicians Outwit Hidden Number Conspiracy

By Jordana Cepelewicz
January 3, 2022
Read Later

Decades ago, a mathematician posed a warmup problem for some of the most difficult questions about prime numbers. It turned out to be just as difficult to solve, until now.

Quantized Academy

What Hot Dogs Can Teach Us About Number Theory

By Patrick Honner
November 18, 2021
Read Later

The Chinese remainder theorem is an ancient and powerful extension of the simple math of least common multiples.

A graphic showing that changing any of the digits of 505, 447 turns it into a composite number
prime numbers

Mathematicians Find a New Class of Digitally Delicate Primes

By Steve Nadis
March 30, 2021
Read Later

Despite finding no specific examples, researchers have proved the existence of a pervasive kind of prime number so delicate that changing any of its infinite digits renders it composite.

Quantized Academy

The Mysterious Math of Perfection

By Patrick Honner
March 15, 2021
Read Later

Enter the world of perfect numbers and explore the mystery mathematicians have spent thousands of years trying to solve.

A comically long “missing persons” poster for an odd perfect number that shows all the restrictions it has to satisfy.
number theory

Mathematicians Open a New Front on an Ancient Number Problem

By Steve Nadis
September 10, 2020
Read Later

For millennia, mathematicians have wondered whether odd perfect numbers exist, establishing an extraordinary list of restrictions for the hypothetical objects in the process. Insight on this question could come from studying the next best things.

Visualization of the distribution of prime numbers in the shape of colorful dots in a hexagonal pattern
Abstractions blog

Mathematicians Will Never Stop Proving the Prime Number Theorem

By Susan D'Agostino
July 22, 2020
Read Later

Why do mathematicians enjoy proving the same results in different ways?


Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Next

Follow Quanta

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

RSS

Newsletter

Past Month

Most Read Articles

This Data is Current Loading...

This Data is Current Loading...

This Data is Current Loading...

The Quanta Newsletter

Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox

Recent newsletters


  • About Quanta
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Simons Foundation
All Rights Reserved © 2022