|
"The problem of distinguishing
prime numbers from composite numbers and of resolving the latter into their
prime factors is known to be one of the most important and useful in arithmetic.
It has engaged the industry and wisdom of ancient and modern geometers
to such an extent that it would be superfluous to discuss the problem at
length. Neverthless we must confess that all methods that have been proposed
thus far are either restricted to very special cases or are so laborious
and prolix that even for numbers that do not exceed the limits of tables
constructed by estimated men, i.e. for numbers that do not yield to artificial
methods, they try the patience of even the practiced calculator... The
dignity of the science itself seems to require that every possible means
be explored for the solution of a problem so elegant and so celebrated."
-- Karl Friedrich Gauss, Disquisitiones Arithmeticae (translation: A. A.Clarke)
Copyright © 2000 Just For Fun HTML. All rights and lefts reserved. Last update: Aug 18th 2000 |
