Can humans say the largest prime number before we find the next one?
A new initiative, "Say the Prime," invites individuals to record and upload videos of themselves vocalizing segments of the largest known prime number, promoting creativity and collaboration among participants.
Read original article
A new initiative called "Say the Prime" invites individuals to participate in a collective effort to vocalize the digits of the largest known prime number, Mersenne prime M136279841, which consists of 41 million digits. The project aims to have people record themselves saying 419-digit segments of this prime number before a potentially larger prime is discovered. Participants can claim a chunk of the number, record themselves reading it aloud for approximately three and a half minutes, and then upload their videos to YouTube. The goal is to create a playlist that showcases a continuous chain of humans speaking the prime number, emphasizing the fun and collaborative nature of the project. The organizers encourage creativity in video production, with no requirement for participants to show their faces, as long as the digits are clearly articulated. The project is led by Ayliean, Katie Steckles, and Matthew Scroggs, who also invite support for future endeavors through their Patreon.
- The project aims to vocalize the digits of the largest known prime number before a new one is discovered.
- Participants can record and upload videos of themselves saying 419-digit segments of the prime.
- The initiative promotes creativity and collaboration among participants.
- Videos can be unlisted on YouTube if participants prefer not to display them on their channels.
- The project is organized by Ayliean, Katie Steckles, and Matthew Scroggs.
Related
The Oldest Unsolved Problem in Math
The YouTube video discusses the oldest math problem about odd perfect numbers. It covers perfect numbers, computer searches, Euclid's formula for even perfect numbers, and mathematicians' contributions.
'Sensational' Proof Delivers New Insights into Prime Numbers
Mathematicians James Maynard and Larry Guth set new limits on exceptions to the Riemann hypothesis, improving prime number approximations. Their innovative approach highlights interdisciplinary collaboration's importance in solving mathematical problems.
What is the longest known sequence that repeats in Pi? (homelab)
The article explores repeating sequences in Pi's decimal representation, detailing the transition from Python to C for efficiency, successful identification of sequences, and plans for further extensive searches.
New Mersenne Prime discovered (probably)
GIMPS, operational since 1996, is verifying a potential new Mersenne prime, the first in six years. The latest software version enhances testing efficiency, and cash awards incentivize participation.
GIMPS Discovers Largest Known Prime Number: 2^136279841 – 1
GIMPS announced the discovery of the largest known prime number, 2^136279841-1, with over 41 million digits, made by Luke Durant using cloud-based GPU technology on October 12, 2024.
- Many users express excitement about the project, with some suggesting creative ways to participate, such as using music or automation.
- Concerns are raised about the feasibility and verification of participants correctly vocalizing their assigned segments.
- Some commenters question the purpose and practicality of recording such a large prime number.
- There are discussions about the potential for collaboration and community involvement in the project.
- A few users reference related concepts, such as the Busy Beaver function and the challenges of expressing large numbers in English.
30 commentsJust as the last video is uploaded, without any fuss, the stars start going out...
https://urbigenous.net/library/nine_billion_names_of_god.htm...
This is the weirdest DDoS attack on YouTube I've seen.
It would be a silly and pointless prank to derail the effort by omitting a number on purpose, but this is the internet... Or maybe it's just the 'coming together' aspect that we're going for anyway, in which case, it doesn't matter :)
It seems the 419 digits/person was chosen to lead to 100,000 people.
Sweet Child of Mine probably works.
Comfortably Numb(ber) allegedly works, but I doubt any of the singers I have access to can enunciate fast enough. For the most relaxed of the options, it has amazing little clouds of fast notes.
MUST RESIST: this is worse than waking up to a Saturday morning "Nerd Sniping", I could lose the whole weekend to this… I'll bet Nate isn't busy… With him and the girls from (redacted) Bohemian Rhapsody could work…
UPDATE: There goes the weekend. So far I've been in a fight with ChatGPT about counting syllables in copyrighted lyrics where I ended up suggesting it get help for its obvious emotional trauma at the hands of an IP lawyer and lined up 5 singers. "enjoy the ride" has beaten "they are just intrusive thoughts".
https://gist.github.com/magicmicah/a8cf863ed656e5b56c5449656...
The assignment here would be to find enough people to _listen_ to batches of 416 of them.
Off topic but this is not technically true. 41 million digits means 1.3 years of saying one digit per second. Even taking 3x as long, to account for sleep and other activities, this would take about four years - still very much doable.
Four years times $100k/year plus $100k completion bonus equals $500k; I guess many people would be willing to do it alone under these conditions.
But then I read it, and they call it stupid. And then I think, oh… I think I will move on. How boring am I. And why put it up on YouTube - so many videos - given you can’t legitimately download all the videos (unless I am mistaken?) I mean you are investing so much of other people time with this, you think you might offer up an alternative own system in return… how boring I am.
Related
The Oldest Unsolved Problem in Math
The YouTube video discusses the oldest math problem about odd perfect numbers. It covers perfect numbers, computer searches, Euclid's formula for even perfect numbers, and mathematicians' contributions.
'Sensational' Proof Delivers New Insights into Prime Numbers
Mathematicians James Maynard and Larry Guth set new limits on exceptions to the Riemann hypothesis, improving prime number approximations. Their innovative approach highlights interdisciplinary collaboration's importance in solving mathematical problems.
What is the longest known sequence that repeats in Pi? (homelab)
The article explores repeating sequences in Pi's decimal representation, detailing the transition from Python to C for efficiency, successful identification of sequences, and plans for further extensive searches.
New Mersenne Prime discovered (probably)
GIMPS, operational since 1996, is verifying a potential new Mersenne prime, the first in six years. The latest software version enhances testing efficiency, and cash awards incentivize participation.
GIMPS Discovers Largest Known Prime Number: 2^136279841 – 1
GIMPS announced the discovery of the largest known prime number, 2^136279841-1, with over 41 million digits, made by Luke Durant using cloud-based GPU technology on October 12, 2024.