The basic idea behind the algorithm is to take a number, n, and through a series of passes, eliminate the non-prime numbers. What remains when you’re done is the set of primes you are after.

Prime numbers, vital in mathematics and competitive exams, can be quickly identified using a systematic approach. This method ...

Fortunately, Édouard Lucas developed a prime number test in 1878, later proved by Derrick Henry Lehmer in 1930. Their work resulted in an efficient algorithm for evaluating potential Mersenne ...

Several early mathematicians believed that a number of the form (2 p –1) is prime whenever p is prime. But in 1536, mathematician Hudalricus Regius noticed that 11 is prime but not (2 11 –1 ...

A prime number is a whole number that can only be divided by 1 and itself. A former Nvidia programmer discovered the world's largest known prime number using graphics processing units.