I've read (I can't remember where) that for every prime p there there are positive integers a and b such that p = a + b and such that 2**a*3**b is either 1 greater than or 1 less than another (much larger) prime. I don't know if this has been proven or not, but I've tested it on all primes 3 < p <= 5689. Here's my script that produces a big prime number from a small one (p > 3): <http://tutoree7.pastebin.com/s09YniXG>.
My question is how to best exit when the big prime has been found. I used a flag (see the highlighted lines 34,40,44), but I seem to remember that, though they can work, flags are frowned upon by Pythonistas, and should be used only when absolutely necessary. So, is one necessary in my script? Thanks, Dick Moores _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
