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45th Known Mersenne Prime Found?

Posted by samzenpus on from the really-big-number dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) has apparently discovered a new world-record prime number. A GIMPS client computer reported the number on August 23rd, and verification is currently under way. The verification could take up to two weeks to complete. The last Mersenne prime discovered was over 9.8 million digits long, strongly suggesting that the new value may break the 10 million digit barrier — qualifying for the EFF's $100,000 prize!"

5 of 396 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Forgive my ignorance by fractic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The beauty is that it doesn't HAVE to be useful.

  2. Because by Bragador · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You shouldn't think like that. Just think about your question, seriously. Whatever we do is pointless and useless and everything will be destroyed eventually through the heat death of the universe.

    That being said, all that is important is that you have fun doing whatever you do. Believe it or not, some people really dig maths. Also, it's one more thing the species knows.

  3. Re:Forgive my ignorance by AndroSyn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I guess some of us have different standards on beauty...

  4. Re:Forgive my ignorance by srjh · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Physics is like sex. Sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it." - Richard Feynman

    I'm guessing it's the same logic at work here.

  5. Re:What would really be neat... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That is kinda less interesting because it depends on the system used to represent the number (binary, decimal, etc.) rather than an intrinsic property of the number