A basic feature of number theory, prime numbers are also a fundamental building block of computer science, from hashtables to cryptography.

Prime numbers may not seem like a regular pattern at first glance, but when linked together from any point of view, they can appear to form a spiral. Mathematician Grant Sanderson explains how ...

Today, people use complex computing networks to search for prime numbers with millions of digits. But early mathematicians were running these calculations by hand.

Both arithmetic aficionados and the mathematically challenged will be equally captivated by new research that upends hundreds of years of popular belief about prime numbers.

Today, people use complex computing networks to search for prime numbers with millions of digits. But early mathematicians were running these calculations by hand.

Math enthusiasts challenge one another to find special prime numbers, including those that are palindromes and Smarandache numbers ...

Large prime numbers are massively useful in cryptography, which is the study and use of codes. Let’s say you’re a hacker who wants to intercept secure messages from one government to another.

Prime numbers can be sorted into different types. In 1202, Leonardo Fibonacci introduced in his book “ Liber Abaci: Book of Calculation ” prime numbers of the form (2 p - 1) where p is also prime.

Prime numbers have captivated mathematicians for thousands of years—and now cloud computing is helping them chase the biggest ones yet.