Proving the Infinitude of Primes: An Alternative Approach

In summary, the conversation discusses two homework problems and the individual is seeking hints for solving them. The first problem involves showing that a number must either be prime or the product of two primes if it is not divisible by any prime less than the cube root of the number. The second problem involves using the assumption of finitely many primes to arrive at a contradiction and prove the infinitude of primes.
  • #1
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Okay I hope it's okay if I have a couple question. I've been strugelling a bit with this problem set. About a quarter of the questions I just don't seem to see how to start them. Any hints would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly
I

Homework Statement



Give that [itex]p\nmid n[/itex] for all primes [itex]p\leq \sqrt[3]n[/itex] show that n> is either prime or the product of two primes.

Homework Equations



?

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't really see how to start this one. Any hint would be greatly appreciated

II.

Homework Statement



Give another proof of the infinitude of primes by assuming that there are only finitely many primes say [itex]p_1, p_2, ... p_n[/itex], and using the following integer to arrive at a a contradiciton:
N = [tex]p_2p_3...p_n + p_1p_3...p_n +...+p_1p_2...p_{n-1}[/tex]

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think that this proof should involve showing that [itex]p_k\nmid N\forall k[/itex] so N must be prime. Which would be like like Euler proof, but I can't seem to see how to set that up
 
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  • #2
For I), if all of the primes less than n^(1/3) don't divide n then n still has a prime factorization. How many factors can there be? For II) for any i, p_i divides all of the terms which sum to N except one. Can it divide N?
 

FAQ: Proving the Infinitude of Primes: An Alternative Approach

What is number theory?

Number theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the properties and relationships of numbers, particularly integers. It involves studying patterns and structures within numbers and using mathematical techniques to solve problems related to them.

What are some important concepts in number theory?

Some important concepts in number theory include prime numbers, divisibility, factorization, modular arithmetic, and the distribution of prime numbers.

How is number theory used in cryptography?

Number theory is used in cryptography to develop secure encryption algorithms. This is because many number theory concepts, such as modular arithmetic and prime numbers, provide the basis for creating codes that are difficult to break.

Can number theory be applied in real-world problems?

Yes, number theory has various applications in real-world problems, such as in computer science, engineering, and finance. For example, number theory is used in coding theory to improve data transmission and in optimization problems for efficient resource allocation.

What are some famous unsolved problems in number theory?

Some famous unsolved problems in number theory include the Riemann Hypothesis, Goldbach's Conjecture, and the Twin Prime Conjecture. These problems have intrigued mathematicians for centuries and continue to be an active area of research.

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