At 04:39 PM 12/11/03 +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > When Mp is prime, then > > a[p-2]^2 == 2 == 2*Mp + 2 = 2^(p+1) (mod Mp). > >Taking square roots, either > > a[p-2] == 2^((p+1)/2) mod Mp >or > a[p-2] == -2^((p+1)/2) mod Mp. > >Around 20 years ago I heard that nobody could predict >which of these would occur.
After M29 was discovered, that was the very first question Dick Lehmer asked. I think it interested him more than the value of p!! --Luke _________________________________________________________________________ Unsubscribe & list info -- http://www.ndatech.com/mersenne/signup.htm Mersenne Prime FAQ -- http://www.tasam.com/~lrwiman/FAQ-mers
