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Mathematicians hunting prime numbers discover infinite new pattern

Using a notion called integer partitions, mathematicians have discovered a new way to detect prime numbers while also connecting two areas of math in an unexpected way

Named Diophantine equations after third-century mathematician Diophantus of Alexandria (and studied long before him), these expressions can have integer solutions or rational ones (meaning they can be written as a fraction). George Andrews, a mathematician at Pennsylvania State University, who edited the PNAS paper but wasn’t involved with the research, describes the finding as “something that's brand new” and “not something that was anticipated,” making it difficult to predict “where it will lead.” Although his team’s recent finding doesn’t solve those problems, he says, it’s a profound example of how mathematicians are pushing boundaries to better understand the mysterious nature of prime numbers.

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