Question: Pierre de Fermat (16011665) conjectured that the function f (x) = 2 (2x) + 1 for x = 1, 2, 3, . . . ,

Pierre de Fermat (1601–1665) conjectured that the function f (x) = 2(2x) + 1 for x = 1, 2, 3, . . . , would always have a value equal to a prime number. But Leonhard Euler (1707–1783) showed that this formula fails for x = 5. Use a calculator to determine the prime numbers produced by f for x = 1, 2, 3, 4. Then show that f (5) = 641 × 6, 700,417, which is not prime.

Step by Step Solution

3.52 Rating (149 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

To evaluate the function fx 22x 1 for x 1 2 3 4 we can simply substit... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Precalculus Questions!