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prime numbers

Latest Articles

Kaisa Matomäki
Q&A

Kaisa Matomäki Dreams of Primes

By Kevin Hartnett
July 20, 2017
Comment
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Kaisa Matomäki has proved that properties of prime numbers over long intervals hold over short intervals as well. The techniques she uses have transformed the study of these elusive numbers.

Yitang Zhang
Thinking Places

Yitang Zhang’s Santa Barbara Beach Walk

By Thomas Lin +2 authors
Olena Shmahalo
Lucy Reading-Ikkanda
June 15, 2017
Comment
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An obscure number theorist who became an overnight sensation with a major proof about the gaps between prime numbers now finds quiet inspiration walking along the Pacific Coast.

Abstractions blog

Physicists Attack Math’s $1,000,000 Question

By Natalie Wolchover
April 4, 2017
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Physicists are attempting to map the distribution of the prime numbers to the energy levels of a particular quantum system.

Abstractions blog

The Almost-Proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem

By Kevin Hartnett
March 3, 2017
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19th-century mathematicians thought the “roots of unity” were the key to solving Fermat’s Last Theorem. Then they discovered a fatal flaw.

Colorful illustration of 5 plants with their roots exposed. Each plant forms the shape of a number,
number theory

New Number Systems Seek Their Lost Primes

By Kevin Hartnett
March 2, 2017
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For centuries, mathematicians tried to solve problems by adding new values to the usual numbers. Now they’re investigating the unintended consequences of that tinkering.

number theory

Mathematicians Discover Prime Conspiracy

By Erica Klarreich
March 13, 2016
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A previously unnoticed property of prime numbers seems to violate a long-standing assumption about how they behave.

number theory

A Magical Answer to an 80-Year-Old Puzzle

By Erica Klarreich
October 1, 2015
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Using crowd-sourced and traditional mathematics research, Terence Tao has devised a solution to a long-standing problem posed by the legendary Paul Erdős.

Q&A

After Prime Proof, an Unlikely Star Rises

By Thomas Lin
April 2, 2015
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Two years ago, Yitang Zhang was virtually unknown. Now his surprise solution to a major problem in number theory has catapulted him to mathematical stardom. Where does he go from here?

Mathematics

Prime Gap Grows After Decades-Long Lull

By Erica Klarreich
December 10, 2014
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A year after tackling how close together prime number pairs can stay, mathematicians have now made the first major advance in 76 years in understanding how far apart primes can be.


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