Let's say that we have a function $3n^2-3n+13$. How do I know if the function only yields prime number without exhausting all the possibilities by trial and error?
How do you know if a function only yields a certain kind of number?
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discrete-mathematics
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0It doesn't. Think of a clever choice of $n$ that kills primality. – 2012-12-07
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0No (non-constant) polynomial with integer coefficients yields prime numbers for all integer arguments. – 2012-12-07
1 Answers
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If your function is $f(n)=3n^{2}-3n+13$ by putting $n=13$ you will have $f(n)=13(39-3+1)$ that is not prime, even without thinking! why you ask it?
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2It is really $13(39-3+1)$ but the message is the same. Generally, for any polynomial you can set $n$ to any factor of the constant term. This takes care of all polynomials except those with a constant term of $\pm 1$ – 2012-12-07
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2@RossMillikan, you are correct. But I wondered as I saw his question when he was accent on without **exhausting** all the possibilities by trial and error ! But by what you said here I think he will earn better thought and will not be bothered on same case when numbers will be changed. – 2012-12-07
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2@AmirHoseinSadeghiManesh: Like your approach. +1 – 2012-12-15