GIMPS

After 2000 years of searching we only know of 51 perfect numbers and they're all even. What else do and don't we know about these rare and precious jewels of maths?

A new prime number with nearly 25 million digits was discovered just in time for Christmas.

Prime number enthusiasts discover new largest prime with 22,338,618 digits.

Look for hidden gems in the gaps between known prime numbers.

They've done it again! GIMPS has discovered the largest known prime number: 257,885,161-1. This massive 17,425,170 digit number was discovered thanks to clever distributed computing software that uses idle computer time donated by volunteers.

The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search strikes again
The GIMPS project finds a new Mersenne prime
7.8 million digits down, only 2.2 million more needed!

In issue No 1 we introduced GIMPS, the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search. Well, on Sunday 24th August 1997 they did it again.

  • Want facts and want them fast? Our Maths in a minute series explores key mathematical concepts in just a few words.

  • The BloodCounts! project is gearing up towards one of the largest-scale applications yet of machine learning in medicine and healthcare.

  • What do chocolate and mayonnaise have in common? It's maths! Find out how in this podcast featuring engineer Valerie Pinfield.

  • Is it possible to write unique music with the limited quantity of notes and chords available? We ask musician Oli Freke!

  • How can maths help to understand the Southern Ocean, a vital component of the Earth's climate system?

  • Was the mathematical modelling projecting the course of the pandemic too pessimistic, or were the projections justified? Matt Keeling tells our colleagues from SBIDER about the COVID models that fed into public policy.