Primorial

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Image:Primorial n plot.png

Image:Primorial pn plot.png

For n ≥ 2, the primorial (n#) is the product of all prime numbers less than or equal to n. For example, 7# = 210 is a primorial which is the product of the first four primes multiplied together (2·3·5·7). The name is attributed to Harvey Dubner and is a portmanteau of prime and factorial. The first few primorials are Template:OEIS:

2, 6, 30, 210, 2310, 30030, 510510, 9699690, 223092870, 6469693230, 200560490130, 7420738134810, 304250263527210, 13082761331670030, 614889782588491410.

The idea of multiplying all primes occurs in a proof of the infinitude of the prime numbers; it is applied to show a contradiction in the idea that the primes could be finite in number.

Primorials play a role in the search for prime numbers in additive arithmetic progressions. For instance, 2236133941 + 23# results in a prime, beginning a sequence of thirteen primes found by repeatedly adding 23#, and ending with 5136341251. 23# is also the common difference in arithmetic progressions of fifteen and sixteen primes.

Every highly composite number is a product of primorials (e.g. 360 = 2·6·30).

Contents

Table of primorials

pp#
22
36
530
7210
112310
1330030
17510510
199699690
23223092870
296469693230
31200560490130
377420738134810
41304250263527210
4313082761331670030
47614889782588491410
5332589158477190044730
591922760350154212639070
61117288381359406970983270
677858321551080267055879090
71557940830126698960967415390
7340729680599249024150621323470
793217644767340672907899084554130
83267064515689275851355624017992790
8923768741896345550770650537601358310
972305567963945518424753102147331756070

See also

References

  • Harvey Dubner, "Factorial and primorial primes". J. Recr. Math., 19, 197–203, 1987.

External links