Submission + - WHY Search for Larger Prime Numbers
lxrslh writes: IANAM (mathematician)
What is the point of continuing to search for and claim increasingly large prime numbers? Devoting greater numbers of more powerful computers will always result in the ability to calculate a larger number, ad infinitum. Surely the largest numbers we have calculated to date are sufficient for practical use? Is this task in some way useful or a real challenge?
What is the point of continuing to search for and claim increasingly large prime numbers? Devoting greater numbers of more powerful computers will always result in the ability to calculate a larger number, ad infinitum. Surely the largest numbers we have calculated to date are sufficient for practical use? Is this task in some way useful or a real challenge?