The Book of Prime Number Records [Hardcover]

Paulo Ribenboim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 1988 | ISBN-10: 0387965734 | ISBN-13: 978-0387965734 | Edition: 1

This book aims to be the analogue for prime numbers of the Guinness Book of World Records. It collects a large number of results and techniques related to all aspects of the theory of prime numbers. The book begins with a chapter on the proofs that there are infinitely many primes, and proceeds through such topics as primality tests, factorization methods, the distribution of primes, special types of primes, and heuristic results. The Book of Prime Number Records should have great appeal to anyone with an interest in number theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Third Edition

P. Ribenboim

The New Book of Prime Number Records

"A number-theoretical version of the Guinness Book of Records . . . There is much mathematics to be found in these pages. These are records given here as well. This book is written with much wit. Experts may not find much that is new, but it is always worthwhile to view the history of a subject as a whole rather than a collection of isolated results."—MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS

Product Details

• Hardcover: 476 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (March 14, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387965734
• ISBN-13: 978-0387965734
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,269,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The place to go to learn about the prime numbers, November 23, 2000

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Book of Prime Number Records (Hardcover)

Few mathematicians, recreational or otherwise, lack an affection for the prime numbers and their properties. With the added charm that not many areas have fewer applications, this is one that has seen significant advances made by "amateurs." In particular, the contributions of Harvey Dubner and Samuel Yates (JRM veterans) are given extensive coverage and, for anyone who wishes to learn about the "state-of-the-art," this is a must read.
One item that is continually emphasized is the number of properties that are almost certainly true, but no one really has a good idea how to prove. Particularly enjoyable is the repeated assertion that proofs are continually being refined, adjusted, shortened and otherwise cleansed. While it is true that mathematical realities remain constant, often lost in the shuffle is the alternate reality that a correct proof is not the last word. There is so much work that remains to be done, including new results of old results.
The level of difficulty mimics a wildly undulating function. Some material could be comprehended by a smart high schooler, and others require a patient (re)reading with likely side trips to the reference shelf. That is just a tribute to the thoroughness of the presentation.
Closing with a 100-page bibliography of material for further study, this book is where anyone with an interest in the primes should begin.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.