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42 *IS* The answer to Life, the Universe and Zeta

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the douglas-adams-was-right dept.

Venusian Treen writes "In their search for patterns, mathematicians have uncovered unlikely connections between prime numbers and quantum physics. The gist is that energy levels in the nucleus of heavy atoms can tell us about the distribution of zeros in Riemann's zeta function - and hence where to find prime numbers. This article discusses this connection, and introduces two physisicts who tell us 'why the answer to life, the universe and the third moment of the Riemann zeta function should be 42.'"

6 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. ? 42 is not prime by Phoenix666 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Are there any mathematicians who can explain how a non-prime is the third riemann moment in the string of riemann zeros?

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  2. Oops. So much for encryption by RonTheHurler · · Score: 5, Interesting
    If the article is true, and prime numbers can be gleaned from quantum stuff, and quantum computers are just around the corner... will that obsolete all our public key encryption tools? How does this affect quantum encryption? Will we have to wait for our household Mr. Fusion reactors to power these systems to maintain encryption? Will all this happen within the next 5 years?

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  3. Obligatory Alan Turing reference by Flying+pig · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The connection with the computer industry is that Alan Turing had a grant from the Royal Society to build an analog system (using gears no less) to investigate the zeroes of the Riemann Zeta Function.

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  4. The Music of the Primes by ElephanTS · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Music of the primes" is a great book for the non- or semi-mathematician that deals extensively with the Riemann function. In this book the author touched on the weird significance of "42" to the function but I'm afraid I can't explain it but sort of understood while I read it. Great book though - check it out . . . http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0066210704/102-69 90660-1984935?v=glance&n=283155 The history of Maths is way more interesting that you think . . .

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  5. Re:Ooh really funny. by Surt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'd guess that the problem is that there are, what, like 3 slashdotters qualified to comment informatively on mathematics at this level? Add to that that it is pretty obvious when you don't know what the heck the mathematics are about.

    On the other side, every slashdotter thinks they have something funny to say.

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  6. Re:You mean by sconeu · · Score: 4, Interesting

    And from that, it becomes obvious that the Hyperintelligent Pandimensional Beings (aka white mice) have 13 fingers in their natural form.

    6x9 = 54 (base 10) = 42 (base 13).

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