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Twin Prime Proof Proffered

Posted by samzenpus on from the is-this-going-to-be-on-the-test dept.

HateBreeder writes "Continuing on a previous slashdot story regarding Arenstorf's proof of the existence of Infinitely Many Prime Twins, it seems that a hole has recently been found in the proof, however mathematicians remain hopeful that the proof can be corrected."

6 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Withdrawn by Agret · · Score: 5, Informative

    The paper has since been withdrawn with the reason "A serious error has been found in the paper, specifically, Lemma 8 is incorrect."

    --
    Have you metaroderated recently?
    1. Re:Withdrawn by metlin · · Score: 4, Informative


      Yeah, it's likely it'll take a long time to fix it.

      Gerald Tenenbaum (the guy who pointed out the mistake) is quite well known, so if he feels that this affects the paper badly, it's probably quite true - and it maybe a while before people get around coming up with an alternative.

      (I know this because Tenenbaum is known to my advisor, Jean Bellissard.)

    2. Re:Withdrawn by metlin · · Score: 4, Informative

      Here is the original paper.

      (it might be gone soon, though - it's an arXiv mirror)

      Lemma 8 is on Page 35 -


      Lemma 8 Let r(v) and (v) of class C1(v0,), 0 r(v) v0 = 1/2 N0; and let (v) in C0(v ,) be such that

      *defines an integral limit for K as a function of (T) for certain values of T, and gives the boundary and limit conditions*

      Although this made sense, the proof is kinda over my head, though. :-)

      Btw - which dept were you at GT?

  2. I like a good alliteration as much as anyone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Probably more than most. Sadly, that's not what proffered means.

    It was proffered a long time ago. The news is that it doesn't work. May I suggest punctured?

  3. old news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The mistake was found back in June

  4. Re:twin primes. by isometrick · · Score: 4, Informative

    I think the average maximum difference between primes may increase as primes grow higher (prime density decreases), but twin primes (primes of form p and p+2) continue to exist so the minimum difference for any range can still be very low. IMHO, numerology should be treated like any other -ology, but I did find one reference to what you are talking about: The Music of the Primes, however the site seems to be gone/down. Good luck with your search!